The White House has confirmed that President Barack Obama is likely to wait more than a week before making a final decision on strategy on the war in Afghanistan and on whether to accede to his commander’s request to send 44,000 more troops.

Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary, said on Monday that it was “doubtful” the president would make an announcement on Afghanistan before leaving on Thursday for an Asia trip, adding it was “not likely” that Mr Obama would do so while out of the country.