Obama, Karzai to discuss future US presence

WASHINGTON (PAN): US President Barack Obama would meet his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai in early January to discuss the future presence of American troops in the country after the withdrawal of foreign forces in 2014, an official said on Friday.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told his daily news conference the two leaders would also review the progress being made in the war against terrorism and the reconciliation process.

“The presidents look forward to discussing a shared vision of Afghanistan beyond 2014, to include the post-2014 role of the United States in Afghanistan. Their meeting will be an important opportunity to discuss implementation of the strategic partnership, to include the progress we’re making in negotiating the bilateral security agreement.”

Carney said Obama would also discuss an Afghan-led peace process as well as the region and the future of Afghanistan’s security forces. He renewed US support for Afghan-led reconciliation, which was essential for the long-term prospects of peace in that country.

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