America's troop presence in Afghanistan will be extended, the announcement from the US President on Thursday.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Obama said almost 10-thousand U.S. troops will remain through next year, with that number halved in 2017.
The original plan had been for a large withdrawal of US soldiers this year.
Mr Obama said the role of the US forces will be to train Afghan troops and go after Al Qeada.
In Washington here's Kevin McAleese....
[WRAP]
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