Petraeus emphasized that the July 2011 date is when "the process of American troop withdrawal begins, however it was all based on conditions on the ground."
Arizona Sen. John McCain is scheduled to headline Romney campaign events for veterans and military families Tuesday morning at a Cary Veterans of Foreign Wars post and in the afternoon at the North Carolina Veterans Park in Fayetteville.
A copy of the invitation obtained by The Associated Press says those giving or raising $10,000 will get a photo opportunity with the two Republicans and access to a VIP reception.
President Obama announced a plan on Tuesday to keep a contingency force of 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 and pull all American troops out of the country by the end of 2016.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and other Republican members of Congress recently sent a letter urging the new FBI Director James Comey to make Benghazi a top priority.
White House spokesman Nicholas Shapiro said Mr. Obama will meet with Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Monday.
President Obama said he remains hopeful Congress will reach a deal to avert the "fiscal cliff," but he reiterated his call for a vote on his plan to extend middle-class tax rates if Congress fails.