Officials said the defectors provided limited information, and there was no indication they could lead troops to potential stashes of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
"His bravery during two tours in Vietnam earned him three silver stars, and set him on the path to lead our troops into battle in Grenada, and then to take charge of the overall allied effort in the first Gulf War as Commander of United States Central Command, " he said.
France hopes West African soldiers will eventually take the lead alongside Malian troops in securing the country.
The notion that more troops might lead to more stability I don't think is a controversial one.
Iraqi troops often take the lead in security patrols, as 13 of 18 provinces now are under Iraqi security control.
But the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson says the moment at which Afghan troops take a "lead combat role" is being gradually speeded up.
BBC: Cameron and Obama to agree Afghan combat role timetable
In their 50 years of marriage, she had never itched for a college education, being more than content to raise a big family, run a gift shop, manage the banquet hall at a golf club, lead Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and, as a convert to Catholicism, explore the contours of her religious faith.
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He will make a major address to the American people tonight, saying that Afghan troops will be in the lead in combat roles from next year onwards, but there will be no new announcement about troop withdrawal.
Speaking during the Commons' quarterly update on the situation in the country, William Hague said there would be a gradual transfer of responsibility to the Afghan National Army, with local troops expected to take "lead responsibility" during 2013.
Mr Bush offered Mr Blair the option of not sending British troops because of fears it could lead to the prime minister losing office, according to Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward.
He led Germany's successful campaign to win a seat on the UN Security Council, earning praise for his ministerial work, and has taken the lead in calling for the withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan beginning in 2011.
When asked about turning over security responsibility to Afghan forces next year, Rasmussen denied it was an acceleration of the transition, saying the plan all along was to withdraw troops in 2014 after shifting the lead security role to Afghan forces.
The move will reduce by more than half the current force level there of 66, 000 troops as Afghan forces prepare to take the lead in combat missions.
This week, we agreed that this spring, Afghan forces will take the lead for security across the entire country, and our troops will shift to a support role.
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Petraeus opposes a firm timetable for withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, because he fears this might lead to a revival of intense violence in the country.
We have made clear all along that much as in Iraq when we turned over full security lead to the Iraqi forces that would be part of a process that may include troops in support.
Afghan troops are already responsible for security in Kabul, and are increasingly taking the lead in Kandahar, where they make up more than 60 percent of the fighting forces.
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The U.S. wants to ensure stability in the lead-up to August elections, which is why Obama has committed 21, 000 additional troops, in addition to the much needed economic assistance.
The United States has withdrawn a substantial number of troops and we are in the process of drawing down further as we hand over security lead to Afghan forces.
If the United States sends troops as part of a peacekeeping mission, do you think that it is likely to lead to a long- term commitment in Bosnia involving many casualties, or not?
Mr Perez Molina - the first military figure to lead Guatemala since the return to democracy in 1986 - also pledged to boost police numbers and deploy more troops to take on organised crime.
Mr. Obama, who last visited Afghanistan in December 2010, has committed to withdrawing most U.S. troops by 2014 under an agreement with NATO members, with plans for Afghan forces to take the lead in combat operations next year.
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Now, with the Pentagon ending its ban on women in combat, Felix and other female troops hope the military's plan to open hundreds of thousands of combat jobs to them will lead society to recognize that they, too, can be courageous warriors.
Dr. Schlesinger observes that this situation will lead to a need to send out foot patrols up the mountains, creating more risk to U.S. troops.
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