Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Obama signs 10-year deal on surprise Afghan trip

 

Ben Feller
Wednesday 02 May 2012 02:09 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

President Barack Obama slipped into Afghanistan under the cover of darkness last night on the anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden to sign an agreement cementing US commitment to the nation after American combat troops leave.

Alongside the Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama declared, "Together, we're now committed to replacing war with peace".

The partnership spells out the US relationship with Afghanistan beyond 2014, covering security, economics and governance. The deal gives both sides political cover: Afghanistan is guaranteed its sovereignty and promised it won't be abandoned, while the US gets to end its combat mission in the long and unpopular war but to keep a foothold in the country.

The deal does not commit the US to any specific troop presence or spending. But it does allow it to keep troops in Afghanistan after the war ends for training Afghan forces and targeted operations against al-Qa'ida.

At a signing ceremony in Kabul, Mr Obama said the agreement paves the way for "a future of peace" while allowing the United States to "wind down this war".

Mr Karzai said his countrymen "will never forget" the help of US forces over the past decade.

Mr Obama was greeted upon arrival at Bagram airfield by Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Afghanistan. Mr Obama then flew by helicopter to the presidential palace in Kabul.

The President was to be on the ground for about seven hours in Afghanistan, where the US has been engaged in war for more than a decade. Journalists travelling with Mr Obama on the flight had to agree to keep it secret until he had safely finished a helicopter flight to the nation's capital, Kabul, where Taliban insurgents still launch lethal attacks.

Large parts of Kabul surrounding Mr Karzai's palace were locked down for Mr Obama's arrival, with police sealing off streets around the city's walled Green Zone, home to most embassies and Nato's Afghanistan headquarters.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in