Afghan president in US for talks on security, troop withdrawal

"President Karzai will hold separate meetings with President Barack Obama and other high-ranking US officials to discuss various key issues," Karzai's office said in a statement after his departure from Kabul on Monday.
 
The withdrawal of US-led combat troops from Afghanistan in 2014, equipping Afghan forces, efforts to negotiate peace with Taliban, and a security agreement with the Washington will top the agenda of the three-day official visit, the statement added.
 
    Reports say a decision could be made during the talks on the presence of US troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
 
 
The US has reportedly prepared plans to keep more than 9,000 soldiers in Afghanistan.
 
The Commander of the US-led forces in Afghanistan, General John R. Allen had earlier submitted three plans to US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, outlining troop levels ranging between 6,000 and 20,000, the New York Times cited a senior Pentagon official as saying on January 2.
 
The United States, which currently has about 66,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, led the invasion of the country in 2001, under the pretext of eradicating Taliban forces and bringing stability to the country.
 
The invasion removed the Taliban, but torn apart by a war that has lasted for 12 years, Afghanistan is still dealing with untamed violence, rising insecurity, and social problems.