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.

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

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (C) greets on his arrival to address the Afghan loya Jirga, a meeting of around 2,500 Afghan tribal elders and leaders, on the first day of the four-day long loya jirga in Kabul on November 21, 2013. (AFP)
AFP, Kabul
Thursday 21 November 2013
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:42 - GMT 06:42
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