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The battle-stretched US military Saturday vowed to keep up US assistance in Haiti as long as needed on Saturday as it pointed to a likely 45 to 50 day armed mission.
Colonel Gregory Kane, one of the top US commanders in the field, said American involvement in Haiti would last as long as the conditions in the earthquake-shattered county required, but that military operations could end as little as 45 days after the January 12 quake.
"We are in Haiti as long as needed and are welcomed by the government of Haiti" said Kane, who directs US Joint Task Force Haiti.
Asked how long the mission would last, Kane replied: "The military portion of the operation, if you follow historical trends, probably 45 to 50 days.
"Then you'll see a precipitous drop off and you'll probably see other agencies, other activities, both international and US, to step forward and take on more roles."
But Kane added that the decision on troop withdrawals would be a "policy decision to be made by the US government."
The US military has reduced its presence in the Haiti in recent weeks, as teams trained to deal with the immediate aftermath of the quake left the country.
On Saturday there were around 17,000 military personel stationed in country or off its coast, down from a high of 22,000.
On Friday the USS Normandy and Underwood left the area.
