U.S., Afghanistan reach security pact through '2024 and beyond'
The United States and Afghanistan have reached a deal on the final
language of a bilateral security agreement, guiding the role of American
troops in that south Asian nation for years to come, America's top
diplomat said Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of State
John Kerry said the accord was reached during conversations Wednesday
between himself and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Afghan leaders will hold a
meeting -- known as a loya jirga, or grand assembly -- starting on
Thursday to decide whether to accept or reject the deal, which lays out a
limited support role for American forces beyond next year.
"They have to pass it," Kerry said. "... It's up to the people of Afghanistan."
If approved, the
agreement would go into effect January 1, 2015, and last "until the end
of 2024 and beyond, unless terminated" by mutual agreement and with two
years notice by either party, according to a copy of the deal posted online Wednesday by the Afghan government that a U.S. official confirms is authentic
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