(VOVworld)- US President Barack Obama has approved plans giving US military commanders broader authority in helping Afghanistan forces repel Taliban fighters after US and NATO combat operations formally end in December, a senior administration official said. The decision, made in recent weeks, will allow US forces to carry out limited missions against the Taliban seen as necessary to protect Americans and support Afghanistan's security forces. The official said the US will no longer target belligerents solely because they are members of the Taliban, to the extent that Taliban members directly threaten the United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to al Qaeda, but will take appropriate measures to keep Americans safe.