Byrd says U.S. must 'refocus' in Afghanistan

President Barack Obama must refocus the mission in Afghanistan, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) said in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Byrd, making his first appearance on the floor since September 10th, questioned the need for more troops in Afghanistan, but praised the president for having taken time to rethink strategy in the country.

"I have become deeply concerned that in the eight years since the September 11 attacks, the reason for the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan has become lost, consumed in some broader scheme of nation-building which has clouded our purpose and obscure our reasoning," Byrd said on the floor.

The 91-year-old senator, who has suffered from some health issues and hospitalizations this year, called out colleagues who favor a troop increase in Afghanistan until the country's domestic forces have stood up as "fence straddling."

"I suggest that we might better refocus our efforts on al Qaeda and reduce U.S. participation in nation building in Afghanistan," Byrd said. "I am relieved to hear President Obama acknowledge Amission creep, and I am pleased to hear the President express skepticism about sending more troops into Afghanistan unless needed to achieve our primary goal of disrupting al Qaeda."

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of troops in Afghanistan, has requested that more troops be sent to that country, warning that the U.S. military campaign there could fail otherwise.

Byrd called on other nations to commit more resources to the military effort in that country, instead of all support coming from the U.S.

"If more troops are required to support an international mission in Afghanistan, then the international community should step up and provide the additional forces and funding," he said. "The United States is already supplying a disproportionate number of combat assets for that purpose.”