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BRUSSELS (AP) NATO's chief says time is not on the alliance's side in Afghanistan and that the allies must quickly endorse Gen.

Stanley McChrystal's recommendation to send reinforcements to deal with the escalating insurgency.

But Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he doesn't expect alliance defense ministers to discuss such steps at their meeting this week in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Fogh Rasmussen said Monday it "makes sense" to delay such decisions until the final results of Afghanistan's disputed presidential elections are known.

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration is studying a set of recommendations by Gen. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, for thousands more troops to end the 8-year war.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-19-09 0720CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list