Washington: Amid conflict reports on pulling out its troops from Afghanistan, the US on Friday made it clear that it has no intention of leaving the war-torn country in the near future and "certainly not in 2011".
"We have no intentions of leaving Afghanistan in the near future, certainly not in 2011," National Security Adviser General James Jones said.
He was allaying fears that the United States intends to pull out completely from Afghanistan in two years time after President Barack Obama said US troops would start to withdraw in July 2011.
Top officials of the Administration have clarified that the announcement is condition-based.
General Jones also said Pakistan's nuclear weapons are safe.
"Obviously, the nuclear is safe. Pakistan has an enormous responsibility within the community of nations that have nuclear weapons. They are very well aware of that and we have regular consultations on these issues," he said in response to a question.
The National Security Adviser said the US will work in partnership with Pakistan military to put an end to militant safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
This is said is a threat to the stability of not only Pakistan, but also the region.
- PTI
First Published: Saturday, December 05, 2009, 00:02