AFP - US President George W. Bush is to discuss efforts to crush Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan with the new commander of NATO's forces there, the White House said.

Bush was to meet with US Army General Dan McNeil, the first US officer to hold the job, to "discuss the importance of success in Afghanistan as it relates to the war on terror," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

"The United States is fully committed to providing the necessary resources to President (Hamid) Karzai," she said.

Later, Bush was to hold talks with the US joint chiefs of staff and leaders of US combatant commands around the world as part of an annual get-together that includes an Oval Office meeting and dinner at the White House, she said.

"This is an opportunity for the president to commend the senior defense leaders for their hard work and accomplishments in fighting the war on terror, defending our homeland, and maintaining a strong joint force," she said.

"I expect they will discuss progress to date on the new Iraq strategy, and then the continued efforts to counter the Taliban in Afghanistan. He'll also talk about budgetary issues and working with Congress to ensure that they have the needed support" for military operations, said Perino.

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