US 'to extend combat role in Afghanistan'

US soldiers who remain in Afghanistan beyond the end of this year may engage in fighting with militant groups other than al Qaeda, according to reports citing White House officials.

The proposals, reported to have been approved by US President Barack Obama, would represent a widening of the US role envisaged. Previous guidelines had been for American troops in Afghanistan after the planned withdrawal deadline at the end of 2014 to limit their activities to counterterrorism missions against al Qaeda.

The new guidelines, initially reported by the New York Times, would allow the military to also pursue the Taliban fighters who might pose a threat.

Obama's decision to widen the scope for combat for US forces remaining in Afghanistan was taken in recent weeks, the Times said earlier on Saturday, citing several top ranking administration officials.

'Lengthy, heated debate'

The paper said the decision to alter the combat role had been made after a "lengthy and heated debate which laid bare the tension inside the Obama administration" as far as Afghanistan was concerned.

"To the extent that Taliban members directly threaten the United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to al Qaeda, however, we will take appropriate measures to keep Americans safe," the Times reported an official as saying.

Afghan Defense Ministry officials declined to comment Saturday, with officials from the presidency unavailable.

The new administration of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, after he came to power in September, signed a deal with the US to allow a residual force of 12,000 foreign troops to remain in the country.

rc/av (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)