Karzai 'backs' US army call for extra troops

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who could be facing a legitimacy problem following the disputed presidential election, has partially backed a call by the top US commander in Afghanistan who asked for more troops for the war.

"Where General (Stanley) McChrystal is asking for more resources, in all aspects, to boost the effort against terrorism, he has our support there," Karzai said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

The comments come after General McChrystal warned on Monday that the US-led mission will "likely result in failure" unless troops are increased across the war-ravaged country.

However, President Barack Obama has expressed skepticism about whether sending more troops would make a difference in the conflict-torn country.

"Until I'm satisfied that we've got the right strategy I'm not ... sending some young man or woman over there- beyond what we already have", Obama told NBC.

Meanwhile, several European countries seem to oppose further commitment for mission in Afghanistan where insurgency has skyrocketed over the past months.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said that he wants to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan after a recent attack killed 6 Italian soldiers in Kabul.

During the interview, Karzai also emphasized the need for "greater protection of Afghan communities and civilians".

Thousands of civilians have died either in US-led airstrikes or in Taliban-led insurgency across the conflict-torn country, according to a UN report.

At least 334 foreign troops have been killed in the country only in 2009, according to the icasualties.org website that tracks coalition deaths in the conflict.