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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| New Afghan government signs US troops deal | New Afghan government signs US troops deal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The new Afghan government has signed a security deal with American officials that will allow US troops to remain in the country beyond this year. | The new Afghan government has signed a security deal with American officials that will allow US troops to remain in the country beyond this year. |
| The agreement was signed by Afghanistan's newly appointed national security adviser, Hanif Atmar. | The agreement was signed by Afghanistan's newly appointed national security adviser, Hanif Atmar. |
| The previous President, Hamid Karzai, refused to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US, straining ties and raising security fears. | The previous President, Hamid Karzai, refused to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US, straining ties and raising security fears. |
| Most Nato forces are to withdraw this year, leaving 9,800 US troops behind. | Most Nato forces are to withdraw this year, leaving 9,800 US troops behind. |
| The total number of troops in the US-led mission at the start of next year will be about 12,500, with the remainder coming from allies such as Germany and Italy. | The total number of troops in the US-led mission at the start of next year will be about 12,500, with the remainder coming from allies such as Germany and Italy. |
| US ambassador to Kabul Jim Cunningham signed the long-delayed agreement on behalf of the government in Washington. | US ambassador to Kabul Jim Cunningham signed the long-delayed agreement on behalf of the government in Washington. |
| Ashraf Ghani, newly elected Afghan President, welcomed the deal. He said: "Today Afghanistan has regained its sovereignty as a power." | |
| Meanwhile US President Barack Obama said the BSA marked a "historic day" in US-Afghan relations. | |
| "We look forward to working with this new government to cement an enduring partnership that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability, unity, and prosperity," he added. | |
| The BSA allows for some foreign special forces to stay in the country to conduct "counter-terror operations" and others to support and train Afghan forces. | The BSA allows for some foreign special forces to stay in the country to conduct "counter-terror operations" and others to support and train Afghan forces. |
| Under a separate Nato agreement also signed on Tuesday, several nations, led by Germany, Turkey and Italy, will contribute to a further force of about 3,000 troops. | Under a separate Nato agreement also signed on Tuesday, several nations, led by Germany, Turkey and Italy, will contribute to a further force of about 3,000 troops. |
| Analysis: David Loyn, BBC News, Kabul | Analysis: David Loyn, BBC News, Kabul |
| The Bilateral Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the US allows American troops to remain in Afghanistan after the end of 2014. But the force will be quite small, at 9,800 troops, and will be cut in half by the end of 2015, before a full pullout at the end of 2016. | The Bilateral Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the US allows American troops to remain in Afghanistan after the end of 2014. But the force will be quite small, at 9,800 troops, and will be cut in half by the end of 2015, before a full pullout at the end of 2016. |
| Under a separate Nato agreement, a further force of about 3,000 troops will be contributed by several Nato nations, led by Germany, Turkey and Italy. Britain's only contribution will be at the officers' training academy, which is modelled on Sandhurst, at Qargha close to Kabul. | Under a separate Nato agreement, a further force of about 3,000 troops will be contributed by several Nato nations, led by Germany, Turkey and Italy. Britain's only contribution will be at the officers' training academy, which is modelled on Sandhurst, at Qargha close to Kabul. |
| By agreeing to the deal so quickly, President Ghani is resetting a relationship soured by his predecessor Hamid Karzai, who refused to sign the agreements, and to the end criticised the US and its forces. The US ambassador to Kabul, Jim Cunningham, said that Tuesday's signing sent a broader signal to the region about the continuing US commitment to Afghanistan. | By agreeing to the deal so quickly, President Ghani is resetting a relationship soured by his predecessor Hamid Karzai, who refused to sign the agreements, and to the end criticised the US and its forces. The US ambassador to Kabul, Jim Cunningham, said that Tuesday's signing sent a broader signal to the region about the continuing US commitment to Afghanistan. |
| The US deployment will be halved by the end of 2015 and withdrawn almost completely by the end of 2016. The Associated Press news agency reports that the US plans to leave about 1,000 troops in a "security office" after this deadline. | The US deployment will be halved by the end of 2015 and withdrawn almost completely by the end of 2016. The Associated Press news agency reports that the US plans to leave about 1,000 troops in a "security office" after this deadline. |
| Nato countries have been steadily reducing the number of troops they have committed to the Afghan mission, handing over control to local security forces. | Nato countries have been steadily reducing the number of troops they have committed to the Afghan mission, handing over control to local security forces. |
| Earlier this year, there were estimated to be just over 50,000 Nato troops serving in Afghanistan from 49 contributing nations. Of these the bulk - about 34,000 - were US troops. | Earlier this year, there were estimated to be just over 50,000 Nato troops serving in Afghanistan from 49 contributing nations. Of these the bulk - about 34,000 - were US troops. |
| Mr Ghani was sworn in as Afghanistan's new president on Monday, replacing Mr Karzai in the country's first democratic transfer of power. | Mr Ghani was sworn in as Afghanistan's new president on Monday, replacing Mr Karzai in the country's first democratic transfer of power. |
| The Kabul ceremony followed six months of deadlock amid a bitter dispute over electoral fraud and a recount of votes. | The Kabul ceremony followed six months of deadlock amid a bitter dispute over electoral fraud and a recount of votes. |
| Under a US-brokered unity deal, Mr Ghani shares power with presidential poll runner-up Abdullah Abdullah, who becomes chief executive. | |
| Their first joint official act was to oversee the signing of the new BSA deal, and the Nato deal that followed it, in the presidential palace. | Their first joint official act was to oversee the signing of the new BSA deal, and the Nato deal that followed it, in the presidential palace. |
| Mr Karzai had refused to sign the deal until a peace process was under way with the Taliban. He had said that if he were to sign it, he would become responsible for any Afghans killed by US bombs. | Mr Karzai had refused to sign the deal until a peace process was under way with the Taliban. He had said that if he were to sign it, he would become responsible for any Afghans killed by US bombs. |
| His refusal aggravated relations with the US, and prompted fears that Taliban insurgents would exploit a gap in security. | His refusal aggravated relations with the US, and prompted fears that Taliban insurgents would exploit a gap in security. |