The White House has categorically ruled out that the US is planning to leave Afghanistan. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told this to reporters at his daily press briefing. Gibbs said Obama held his fifth situation room meeting today at the White House, which lasted for more than three hours. However, Gibbs did not say how long it would take the President to come out with the right strategy that would not only work, but would also help in achieving the goal of defeating the Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the region. He said the political situation in both Pakistan and Afghanistan was also discussed at the meeting. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who is travelling participated in the meeting through phone.