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Afghanistan Loya Jirga elders endorse US security pact Afghanistan elders seek US security pact signing in 2013
(35 minutes later)
A meeting of Afghan elders has backed a security pact with the US allowing thousands of US troops to remain after combat operations end in 2014. A meeting of Afghan elders has called for a security deal with the United States to be signed this year.
However the assembly also called on President Hamid Karzai to sign the deal this year. The grand assembly endorsed the pact, which allows thousands of US troops to remain in Afghanistan once combat operations have ended.
Mr Karzai had told the opening session of the assembly that the deal would be signed after elections in 2014. Three days ago, President Hamid Karzai said the deal should be signed after elections due in April.
The US has said it is neither "practical nor possible" to delay the signing.The US has said it is neither "practical nor possible" to delay the signing.
The deal also has to be approved by the Afghan parliament.
The deal under discussion may see 15,000 foreign troops remain after 2014, although the US says it has not yet taken a decision on any presence.
'Tense exchanges''Tense exchanges'
More than 2,000 elders have been meeting behind closed doors for the past few days. More than 2,000 elders have been taking part in the grand assembly of elders, or loya jirga, meeting behind closed doors in Kabul for the past four days.
They endorsed the security deal in a resolution. "Given the current situation in, and Afghanistan's need... the contents of this agreement as a whole is endorsed by the members of this Loya Jirga," a declaration reached at the end of the meeting was quoted as saying.
"The loya jirga requests the president to sign the agreement before the end of 2013."
The BBC's Karen Allen in Kabul says the past few days have seen tense diplomatic telephone exchanges between US Secretary of State John Kerry and President Karzai.The BBC's Karen Allen in Kabul says the past few days have seen tense diplomatic telephone exchanges between US Secretary of State John Kerry and President Karzai.
Washington insists the deal - which has taken months to negotiate - must be signed before the end of this year in order to secure plans for how many troops will remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014.Washington insists the deal - which has taken months to negotiate - must be signed before the end of this year in order to secure plans for how many troops will remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
Opening the four-day grand assembly of elders on Thursday, Mr Karzai urged delegates to approve the deal.Opening the four-day grand assembly of elders on Thursday, Mr Karzai urged delegates to approve the deal.
He said a number of world leaders - including from Russia, China, and India - were backing the accord, and that it would provide the security Afghanistan needed, as well as the foundation for forces from other Nato countries who were assisting Afghan troops.He said a number of world leaders - including from Russia, China, and India - were backing the accord, and that it would provide the security Afghanistan needed, as well as the foundation for forces from other Nato countries who were assisting Afghan troops.
But he appeared to set a new condition, saying any pact would not be signed until after presidential elections.But he appeared to set a new condition, saying any pact would not be signed until after presidential elections.
That vote will be held in April. Mr Karzai has served two terms so cannot stand again.That vote will be held in April. Mr Karzai has served two terms so cannot stand again.
State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We believe that signing sooner rather than later is essential to give Afghans certainty about their future before the upcoming elections, and enable the United States and other partners to plan for US presence after 2014.State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We believe that signing sooner rather than later is essential to give Afghans certainty about their future before the upcoming elections, and enable the United States and other partners to plan for US presence after 2014.
"It is neither practical nor possible for us to further delay because of the uncertainty it would create.""It is neither practical nor possible for us to further delay because of the uncertainty it would create."
'Plot' Security has been tight for the meeting after a suicide bombing last weekend near the huge tent where it is being held.
The deal under discussion may see 15,000 foreign troops remain after 2014, although the US says it has not yet taken a decision on any presence.
While the Loya Jirga can amend or reject clauses in the pact, its decisions are not binding. The deal will also have to be approved by parliament.
Security is tight for the meeting after a suicide bombing last weekend near the huge tent where it is being held.
The Taliban has branded the meeting a US-designed plot, and has vowed to pursue and punish its delegates as traitors if they approve the deal.The Taliban has branded the meeting a US-designed plot, and has vowed to pursue and punish its delegates as traitors if they approve the deal.