WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama hinted on Sunday that the ongoing U.S. military build-up in Afghanistan will eventually lead to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country.
"There's got to be an exit strategy... There's got to be a sense that this is not perpetual drift," Obama said during an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes".
Asked about the objective of U.S. mission in Afghanistan, he replied "Making sure that al Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests and our allies. That's our No.1 priority."
The president also said that so far he has found the job of president "exhilarating," and added that while he is reading more now, most of his reading consists of briefing books to bone up on issues.
Obama made the remarks as he is wrapping up his strategic review on Afghanistan.
Officials said last week that he is likely to announce his new Afghan strategy in the next few days.
His new strategy will include a plan to move U.S. troops to frontline garrisons in remote areas of the country instead of the present method of staying in large rear area bases and venturing into remote areas from time to time, according to media reports.
Obama has been conducting a complete review of the Afghan strategy since swearing-in in January.
He ordered an increase of U.S. troops level in Afghanistan by 17,000 last month.
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