Obama calls Karzai, reaffirms transition by 2014

Mar 17, 2012 |

IANS

Washington

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US President Barack Obama called up his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai Friday to discuss the process of transition to Afghan-led security while reaffirming its timetable would be completed by 2014, the White House said.

The two presidents took the opportunity to discuss the process of security transition which will see Afghans have full responsibility for security across the country by the end of 2014, Xinhua quoted the White House in a statement.

The statement holds significance as Karzai told US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday that both sides "should work together for a security handover from international forces to Afghan troops to take place by 2013 instead of 2014".

The two leaders also discussed Karzai's recent reiteration of his "long-standing concerns regarding night raids and house searches".

Obama, during their telephonic conversation, said he was looking forward to welcom Karzai to the NATO Summit in Chicago in May, where they, along with NATO partners, will "together define the next phase of transition."

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