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Obama: Americans will support Afghan plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said he believes the American people will be supportive of his decision on U.S. strategy and troop presence in Afghanistan.

"After eight years -- some of those years in which we didn't have resources or strategy to get the job done -- it is my intention to finish the job," Obama said during a media availability with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House.

Obama said he would make an announcement "to the American people about how we intend to move forward ... shortly."

Several media outlets reported Obama will discuss his decision and reasoning during a national address Dec. 1.

"I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we're doing there, and how we will achieve our goals, they will be supportive," Obama said.

It is in security interests of the United States and the world to ensure al-Qaida and its terrorist allies "cannot operate effectively" in safe havens dotting Afghanistan, he said.

"The whole world has a core security interest in making sure the kind of extremism and violence that is emanating from this region is tackled, confronted in a serious way," Obama said.

The issue also must be considered in the context of the broader international community, Obama said, adding he would discuss "the obligations of our international partners" soon.

Ultimately, however, "the Afghan people ... are going to have to provide for their own security," Obama said, and the United States must ensure Afghan security forces are trained and equipped.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has urged the president to deploy 40,000 troops in addition to the 68,000 U.S. troops already in Afghanistan.

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Obama, Singh praise U.S.-India ties

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The already strong U.S.-India ties will be strengthened by commitments made Tuesday between the countries' leaders, U.S. President Barack Obama said.

"My administration's commitment is seen in new strategic dialogue," Obama said during a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "I consider (Singh) a wise, honest and trustworthy leader."

Both leaders restated their commitments to economic strategies that would improve job opportunities in India and the United States, as well as cultural, educational and health exchanges.

They also pledged to work on climate change initiatives ahead of December's U.N.-sponsored climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"President Obama and I have agreed on the need for a substantive and comprehensive outcome, which would cover mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology," Singh said.

Obama said U.S. and Indian intelligence and law enforcement agencies would work together against transnational threats.

"I welcomed the prime minister's support for the non-proliferation agenda that I laid out in Prague, and I look forward to India's participation in our nuclear security summit next year, as well as India's participation as a full partner in our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said. "Part of that vision is working together to ensure that all nations, including Iran and North Korea, live up to their international obligations."

Singh also spoke of implementing the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement reached with former President George W. Bush.

"The lifting of U.S. export controls on high technology exports to India will open vast opportunities for giant research and development efforts," Singh said.

Obama said he thought the relationship between the United States and India "has never been stronger -- a reminder that it will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

The president and first lady Michelle Obama host their first state dinner Tuesday in honor of Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.

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U.S.: Arms dealer, others helped Hezbollah

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Thirteen men were charged Tuesday with participating in a fencing ring that shipped stolen goods to Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, U.S. officials said.

Among those charged in Philadelphia was international arms dealer Dani Nemr Tarraf, 39, with residences in Slovakia and Lebanon, whom officials said was lured to Philadelphia Saturday by federal agents for a supposed deal to send hand-held Stinger missiles and machine guns to Lebanese terrorists, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The details of the two-year undercover terrorism investigation included allegations a Detroit fencing operation with alleged links to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah bought more than 20,000 stolen cellphones, hundreds of video game consoles and Nike shoes from U.S. agents, eventually ordering laptops and military gear to ship to Beirut, the newspaper said.

The Inquirer said Tarraf is charged with conspiracy to acquire missile system designed to destroy aircraft, transporting stolen property and conspiracy to possess machine guns.

Five other men -- including three with dual residencies in Slovakia and Lebanon, one from Lebanon and another from Centerville, Ga. -- were charged participating in the ring. Eight others, including five from Dearborn, Mich., were reportedly named in a separate indictment for selling stolen goods.

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Armed men snatch prisoner from hospital

HAMILTON, Ontario, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A daring midday breakout of a prisoner from a Hamilton, Ontario, hospital Tuesday triggered a manhunt for three armed and dangerous men.

Fawad Nouri, 24, was being escorted by prison guards from Hamilton General Hospital to a van to be returned to prison when the guards were jumped, police said at a news conference.

The two men were wearing surgical masks and hoodies pulled low over their faces, the Hamilton Spectator reported.

The trio hijacked the prison van and sped, clipping a parked ambulance, police said. Blocks away, they abandoned the van and were seen speeding away in a silver Hyundai sport utility vehicle, the report said. No shots were fired, police said.

Nouri was being treated for a gunshot wound to the arm after a gun battle with police Jan. 23. He was one of two suspects arrested after a Tim Hortons restaurant was robbed at gunpoint. During a foot chase after the robbery, at least two shots were fired at officers, who returned fire.

Nouri and the other man face 40 charges.

Police circulated Nouri's photo Tuesday and cautioned the public not to approach him, but rather report his whereabouts.

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FAA fines airlines for stranding

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Federal aviation regulators fined three airlines $175,000 Tuesday for stranding passengers overnight in a plane in Rochester, Minn., officials said.

The penalty is the first by the Federal Aviation Administration involving passengers being left on the tarmac for an unreasonable period, The Wall Street Journal reported. The companies involved are Continental Airlines and ExpressJet, a Continental feeder, as well as Mesabi Airlines, a Minnesota-based Delta subsidiary.

Flight 2816 was carrying 47 passengers from Houston to Minneapolis in August when thunderstorms forced the crew to divert to Rochester. FAA officials said a Mesabi employee refused to reopen the terminal after the airport closed for the night to allow the passengers to leave the plane.

Continental and ExpressJet agreed to pay a total penalty of $100,000 while Mesabi is to pay $50,000. The settlement ends the FAA investigation.

In a statement, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood said, "I hope this sends a signal to the rest of the airline industry that we expect airlines to respect the rights of air travelers."

The Mesabi employee said passengers could not enter the terminal as there were no Transportation Security Administration personnel on duty. But passengers could have entered what is known as the "sterile" areas of the airport, the DOT said.