Obama sending 17,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan

"There is no more solemn duty as president than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harms way," AFP quoted Obama as saying in a statement.

"I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action."

Obama said the deployment orders were in response to a months-old request by the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, who had asked for 30,000 more troops.

"To meet urgent security needs," Obama said he had approved a request by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the spring, and an Army Stryker Brigade and support forces later this summer.

The White House said some 17,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan ahead of the Afghan elections scheduled for August 20, significantly building up the 38,000 U.S. force already on the ground battling a growing insurgency.

The U.S.-backed government in Kabul has come under intense pressure as the insurgency led by Taliban and al-Qaeda Islamic militants has gained strength and spread from the east and south into parts of the west and areas around the capital, Kabul.

As the security situation in Iraq has improved, the U.S. has increasingly shifted its focus to the insurgency in Afghanistan and reduced the number of its troops in Iraq.

As well as American forces, there are also some 30,000 troops from NATO nations attempting to stabilize Afghanistan.

MORE TURKISH TROOPS?

Obama called Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to discuss the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan and Armenia.

Foreign policy experts here suggested that Obama may have asked for more Turkish troops or other Turkish contributions in Afghanistan. Shortly after late Monday's conversations, the White House, in a statement, qualified the talks as "warm and productive".

Turkey currently has some 800 troops serving with NATO forces in Afghanistan, most of who are based in the capital, Kabul. Having the second biggest army within NATO and as the only Muslim country in the alliance, Turkey is uniquely placed to help.