US Envoy: Afghan pullout will happen

The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, says international troops will eventually pull out of Afghanistan but not in a way that suggests abandoning their mission.

Speaking to reporters in Kabul Sunday, the Envoy also voiced his backing for a proposal to lure fighters with no strong militant allegiance away from the insurgency and re-integrate them into the Afghan society.

He added that the support base for both Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, and al-Qaida, is limited, based on deception, and reliant upon "false information." Holbrooke, later reiterated that US troops have no intentions occupying the country.

Richard Holbrooke, US Special Envoy, said, "Let us not be naive about this. In the long run, foreign troops will leave Afghanistan. We don't want to occupy Afghanistan. We are here to help you."

Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, listens during a discussion with journalists in Kabul January 17, 2010. REUTERS/ Omar Sobhani