The Pentagon Chief does not rule out the possibility of sending more troops to Afghanistan while admitting that too many foreign soldiers could 'alienate its people', reported PressTV.
Amid rising death toll for the US troops in Afghanistan Robert Gates said Thursday he would be receptive if his new commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal asks for "more troops" to the war-ravaged country.
Secretary Gates says he expects to receive the eagerly-awaited assessment from General McChrystal after the August 20 elections.
While he did leave the possibility of deploying more troops to Afghanistan open, Gates also admitted that the availability of forces is a challenge.
The top Pentagon official expressed concerns that having too many foreign soldiers in the war-ravaged country could "alienate its people".
Gates also emphasized that he can not predict how long US forces will have to stay in Afghanistan.
Gates' remarks on Afghanistan come a week before the country's presidential elections.
President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of an additional 21-thousand troops to Afghanistan earlier this year.
There are more than 101,000 US-led soldiers in Afghanistan.
Last month was the deadliest month for international forces since the invasion in 2001. Seventy-five foreign troops -- including 43 Americans -- were killed in militant attacks across Afghanistan in July.
Civilians, however, have been the main victims of violence in Afghanistan, particularly in the troubled southern and eastern provinces.
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