British Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed confidence that a U.S.-Afghan bilateral security agreement will be signed to allow a continuing training mission in Afghanistan after the planned withdrawal of foreign troops by the end of 2014.
Cameron was speaking on December 16 on a pre-Christmas visit with British troops in the country.
He reiterated that Britain will stick to the withdrawal timetable, but said it would be better if the security agreement is signed "sooner rather than later" to allow NATO troops to plan for a post-2014 mission.
The United States wants the agreement signed by the end of the year.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he will defer signing it to his successor and has added new conditions.
Britain currently has around 5,200 troops in Afghanistan.
Cameron was speaking on December 16 on a pre-Christmas visit with British troops in the country.
He reiterated that Britain will stick to the withdrawal timetable, but said it would be better if the security agreement is signed "sooner rather than later" to allow NATO troops to plan for a post-2014 mission.
The United States wants the agreement signed by the end of the year.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he will defer signing it to his successor and has added new conditions.
Britain currently has around 5,200 troops in Afghanistan.