Petraeus: Decision near on troops

WASHINGTON (AP) - The commander of the U.S. Central Command says a decision is near on sending more American forces to Afghanistan.

Gen. David Petraeus spoke to CNN on Wednesday shortly before heading into a meeting with President Barack Obama and his war council about a new strategy in the 8-year-old Afghan conflict.

Petraeus said the question of an increase in troops would be discussed at the meeting. He said, "I think we are indeed nearing a decision on this very important topic."

The White House says that Obama, who leaves Thursday for an extended trip to Asia, has not made up his mind and is unlikely to announce a decision for several weeks.