Afghanistan, U.S. sign long-awaited security pact

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan and the United States signed a long-awaited security pact on Tuesday that will allow U.S. forces to remain in the country past the end of year.

At a ceremony held at the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul, newly appointed national security adviser Mohmmad Hanif Atmar signed the document along with U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham.

The deal will allow about 10,000 American troops to stay in the country after the international combat mission ends Dec. 31. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai had refused to sign it despite U.S. threats of a full withdrawal in the absence of legal protections for American forces. U.S. officials have said that the delay in the deal's signing does not affect plans for next year.

A second agreement allowing NATO troops to stay in the country was also signed between Afghanistan and NATO during the same ceremony.

Read Wednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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