U.S. Marines to stay longer in southern Afghanistan

By Andrew Gray WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 2,200 U.S. Marines battling insurgents in southern Afghanistan have had their tour of duty extended by 30 days, U.S. officials said on Thursday. The move comes amid U.S. concern about rising violence in Afghanistan from Taliban Islamist militants and other groups. The Marines' departure date was shifted from October into November, officials said. Defense Secretary Robert Gates made the decision at the request of Army Gen. David McKiernan, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. "The commanders are trying to milk the summer fighting season until the bitter end and trying to cement the significant gains the Marines have made in the south," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said. The Marines belong to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit,... [read full story]