Afghanistan, US sign long-awaited security agreement

KABUL: Afghanistan and the United States signed a security pact on Tuesday to allow US forces to remain in the country past the end of year, ending a year of uncertainty over the fate of foreign troops supporting Afghanis as they take over responsibility for the country’s security.

Afghan, American and Nato leaders welcomed the deal, which will allow about 10,000 American troops to stay in the country after the international combat mission ends December 31. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai had refused to sign it despite US threats of a full withdrawal in the absence of legal protections for American forces. US officials have said that the delay in the deal’s signing does not affect plans for next year.

President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, who was sworn into office a day earlier, told a crowd assembled at the presidential palace in the capital Kabul for the signing ceremony that the agreement signaled a fundamental shift for the positive in the country’s relations with the world.

THE PACT WILL ALLOW 10,000 US TROOPS TO STAY IN THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COMBAT MISSION ENDS DEC 31

“This agreement is only for Afghan security and stability,” he said in comments broadcast live on state television. “These agreements are in our national interest. The Bilateral Security Agreement will pave the ground for Afghanistan to take control,” he added.

Newly appointed Afghan national security adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and US Ambassador James Cunningham signed the actual document. A second agreement allowing Nato troops to stay in the country was also signed during the same ceremony.

Government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who has assumed a post akin to prime minister after signing a powersharing agreement with Ghani Ahmadzai, also welcomed the security deal.

“It has been signed after very careful considerations,” he said.