Barack Obama briefs Karzai on new US strategy

President Barack Obama has spoken to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai about the new US strategy for Afghanistan, due to be unveiled later.

Mr Karzai's staff said the two men had talked for an hour by video link.

Mr Obama is expected to announce the deployment of about 30,000 additional troops to fight the Taliban.

He will make the announcement in a speech at the US Military Academy at West Point. Mr Obama has already briefed leaders from allied countries.