Kabul: Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he favours a security agreement with America allowing some of its troops to remain after the end of 2014 but wants unspecified "guarantees."
    
Karzai provided no details when he spoke on Thursday at a gathering on rural development. But he has said in the past that the United States must commit to boost Afghan security, strengthen its armed forces and provide long-term economic development assistance.
    
Karzai says the US should pay for the agreement, a reference to a demand for rent to lease up to nine bases in Afghanistan. He didn't say how much money Afghanistan wants, but it's thought to be over USD 6 billion.
    
The US has said it's not seeking permanent bases in Afghanistan. The agreement is expected by year's end.

(Agencies)

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