US defense chief: More brigades to Afghanistan by summer

12/11/2008 | 03:50 PM

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Pentagon is moving to get three of the four combat brigades requested by commanders into Afghanistan by next summer.

Gates said he will not have to cut troop levels further in Iraq to free up at least two of those three brigades for Afghan duty.

The Pentagon chief spoke with reporters traveling with him to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was to meet with military leaders Thursday.

Gates' remarks were his most specific to date about how soon he will meet the call for up to 20,000 more troops in Afghanistan. - AP

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