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US to keep 9,800 Afghanistan troops after 2014 US to keep 9,800 Afghanistan troops after 2014
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama is seeking to keep 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan after the US ends its combat mission in the country at the end of this year.President Barack Obama is seeking to keep 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan after the US ends its combat mission in the country at the end of this year.
The US plan calls for troop levels to be reduced from its current force of 32,000 by the end of 2014. The US plan would reduce its current force of 32,000 by the end of 2014, halve that next year and remove nearly all troops by the end of 2016.
The remaining US military presence would train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations.The remaining US military presence would train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations.
These numbers would be contingent on the Afghan government signing a bilateral security agreement. But the plan depends on the Afghans signing a joint security agreement.
While current Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign such an agreement, the Obama administration appears to be confident either of the two candidates seeking to replace him would do so.While current Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign such an agreement, the Obama administration appears to be confident either of the two candidates seeking to replace him would do so.
Mr Obama is set to announce US plans for ending the war in Afghanistan at the White House at 14:45 (18:45 GMT).Mr Obama is set to announce US plans for ending the war in Afghanistan at the White House at 14:45 (18:45 GMT).
The BBC's Mark Mardell says the announcement comes as Mr Obama finds himself under attack for a "weak" foreign policy, and as the president prepares to make a major speech on Wednesday setting out how he sees the country's place in the world post-Iraq and Afghanistan. The BBC's Mark Mardell, in Washington, says the announcement comes as Mr Obama finds himself under attack for a "weak" foreign policy, and as the president prepares to make a major speech on Wednesday setting out how he sees the country's place in the world post-Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US announcement will not affect the timetable for UK soldiers coming home, and all British troops are due to leave by the end of this year, the BBC has learnt.
At the weekend, President Obama paid a surprise visit to US troops in Afghanistan and on Monday at a Memorial Day ceremony he paid tribute to the more than 2,000 soldiers who have lost their lives in the country's longest war.
Initially, the US military presence would continue around the country in 2015, but be halved by the end of the year and consolidated around Kabul.Initially, the US military presence would continue around the country in 2015, but be halved by the end of the year and consolidated around Kabul.
After 2016, the US would seek to keep 1,000 military members to staff a security office.After 2016, the US would seek to keep 1,000 military members to staff a security office.
Afghanistan's run-off election between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani to replace Mr Karzai is set for 14 June.Afghanistan's run-off election between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani to replace Mr Karzai is set for 14 June.