GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER URGES KARZAI TO SIGN AFGHAN-US SECURITY DEAL

Kabul, 30 Rabi’ul Akhir 1435/1 Febuary 2014 (MINA) – The German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen has called on president Hamid Karzai to sign the bilateral security agreement (BSA) between Kabul and Washington.

While speaking during the 50th security conference in Munich, Germany’s defense minister, said Berlin is prepared to keep a residual force in Afghanistan, in a bid to help maintain peace and stability in the country.

She said Germany remains committed to provide training and equip the Afghan national security force, Khamaa Press quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting

This comes as Afghan president Hamid Karzai once again insisted on his demands for the signing of the bilateral security agreement with Washington.

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The presidential palace media office following a statement, said president Hamid Karzai discussed the Afghan-US bilateral security agreement during a telephone conversation with the British prime minister David Cameron.

President Karzai quoted in the statement, said that the Afghan people have proved their friendship with United States after approving the draft security pact during the consultative Loya Jirga.

However, president Karzai emphasized that the people of Afghanistan wants peace and stability in the country, therefore practical steps towards Afghan peace process is one of the main conditions for the signing of the security deal. (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)