Obama says Afghans can take security lead
2012-05-21 22:39
Chicago - President Barack Obama says Afghanistan is on track to place the entire country's security under the lead of Afghan forces in 2013, relegating US-led Nato troops to a support role a year ahead of the planned withdrawal of all Nato forces from Afghanistan.
The president was speaking on Monday at the start of a meeting of Nato leaders and partner countries who have participated in the war in Afghanistan.
Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the international allies remained committed to a secure and democratic Afghanistan. To that end, he said, there would be a Nato-led presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to advise, train and assist Afghan forces.
Obama expressed confidence that the goal of transferring security to Afghan forces next year was attainable.
- AP
