Afghanistan welcomes US new strategy

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his country welcomes the US new strategy. He said Afghanistan welcomes any cooperation towards the stability and progress and well-being of its people.

US President Barack Obama announced last week he would send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, but would begin bringing them home in 18 months and start handing over responsibilities for security to Afghan forces.

Karzai said Afghanistan will do all it can to be a good partner in the new strategy. He said Afghans would try their best to take over security within the US timetable although he said a longer timescale may be necessary. The Afghan President said he hoped Afghans would be able to lead security operations in many areas of the country within two years.