Decide on US troops in Afghanistan before NATO summit: Bob Corker to Obama

A top American Senator has asked President Barack Obama to make a decision about the continued presence of US security assistance forces in Afghanistan before the NATO Summit in Warsaw next month.

"It is my sincere hope that you will not delay this critical decision further, and will accord our commanders' recommendations a response in advance of the July 8 NATO Warsaw Summit," said Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Gen John Nicholson, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has submitted a report that is expected to include recommendations for the President to postpone the planned reduction of US forces at the end of the year, said a statement issued by the Senator.

"I write to express my deep concern about the situation in Afghanistan, and the current uncertainty regarding the US commitment to maintain forces sufficient to secure our national security interests in the region," Corker wrote in his letter to the president.

Corker, who visited Kabul earlier this year, also called on the President to listen to the advice of his military commanders and maintain the existing US security presence, which is necessary to protect America's national security interests in the region and help Afghanistan counter the resurgence of the Taliban and other terrorist groups.

"According to our commanders, retaining our current military footprint would provide political space while also affording the United States continued access to counter global terror networks operating in the region," he said.

"It is important to reinforce our commitment in a timely way with Afghanistan and its partners. I hope your response to their recommendation will sustain current force levels going forward and will be delivered well ahead of the Warsaw Summit," Corker said.