US committed to Afghanistan until 2014, envoy says

Feb 4, 2012, 14:10 GMT

Kabul - The United States was committed to Afghanistan until 2014, when NATO-led troops would end their combat mission and hand over security to Afghan forces, US ambassador Ryan Crocker said Saturday.

'The US is committed to the Lisbon timetable, which means that combat operations by international and Afghan forces are fully resourced and capable as necessary until the end of 2014 and beyond,' Crocker said in a statement.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday that the United States was aiming for an end to its combat role in Afghanistan by the second half of 2013.

The United States' and NATO's goal has been to withdraw all combat troops by the end of 2014 from Afghanistan, where the internationally backed government and a NATO-led coalition have been fighting Taliban insurgents.

'Our goal is to complete all of that transition in 2013,' the Washington Post quoted Panetta as saying. 'Hopefully by mid to the latter part of 2013 we'll be able to make a transition from a combat role.'

NATO-led troops started handing over the security responsibilities of specific areas to Afghan forces in 2011.

Many Afghans are concerned that their forces are not ready to take over full security responsibilities, as the violence increases in southern and eastern Afghanistan.

'We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan cannot again be a safe haven for al-Qaeda or groups that threaten the interests of the Afghan people, the United States, and its allies,' Crocker said.

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