Washington - The top US commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that more troops are needed in Afghanistan as quickly as possible, warning the insurgency in the country could worsen.

General David McKiernan said Afghanistan also urgently needs economic and political assistance to defeat al-Qaeda militants and a resurgent Taliban as violence in the country this year has risen to the highest level in years.

"We are in a tough fight," McKiernan told reporters at the Pentagon. "So the idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility in Afghanistan."

McKiernan was in Washington to meet with President George W Bush to discuss increasing US troop levels next year and ways to persuade NATO allies to also contribute more soldiers.

"The additional military capabilities that have been asked for are needed as quickly as possible," McKiernan said.

Three US combat brigades, which consist of 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers each, are due to arrive in Afghanistan next year. There are about 45,000 US soldiers already in the country, about half under NATO command.

McKiernan said he has been encouraged by the Pakistani military assault against militants hiding in a remote tribal region of the country near the Afghan border, where they launched attacks against NATO and Afghan forces.

The refuge area has been a source of tension between Washington and Islamabad. Covert US attacks into Pakistan have also added to the dispute between the two countries. McKiernan said he was "cautiously optimistic" that Pakistani government is taking effect action against the militants.

"We think that's a positive step that they are taking on those militant sanctuaries," the general said. (dpa)