FORWARD OPERATING BASE JOYCE, Afghanistan (AP) - Gen. David Petraeus has told the White House that the President's troop surge has improved security but a stubborn Taliban insurgency remains strong in some areas, a senior military official says.

The official said Gen. David Petraeus' assessment, which will help guide a White House review of its afghan strategy expected out next week, makes recommendations on the size of the Afghan security forces.

The official said that the planned transition of the country's security to the Afghan military and police forces will likely begin next year as planned, but the pace is still uncertain.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the assessment, which is not finished.
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