Karzai: Up to 15,000 foreign troops could stay in Afghanistan under BSA

Up to 15,000 foreign troops could stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014 if a security pact with the U.S. is passed, President Hamid Karzai said Thursday.

About 2,500 tribal chiefs, chieftains and dignitaries are gathered in Kabul for a four-day discussion of the bilateral security agreement with the U.S.

“If signed... 10,000 to 15,000 of their troops will stay. When I say 'their troops', I don't mean the Americans (alone),” Karzai told delegates.

He said the force would include troops from other NATO members as well as “Turkey or some other Muslim nations”. Turkey is a member of NATO.

Karzai said he expected the agreement to lead to peace in his war-torn country.

“It must bring peace to Afghanistan. I'm aware that they (U.S.) can bring peace, it's in their hands,” Karzai added to applause from delegates.