UK Will Not Leave Afghanistan Alone: Cameron

Local Editor

UK's Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday that Britain is committed to ensuring good governance in Afghanistan and "will not leave the country alone" in building a more secure future.

Speaking at a joint press conference with newly-inaugurated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Friday, Cameron said Britain will be a "strong partner and good friend" for Afghanistan.

"We all share a common goal, which is a more secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan," he said.

He stressed that the UK would "not be leaving this country alone" after combat troops leave at the end of the year [2014], "to ensure it does not become a haven for terrorism". A limited number of soldiers however will still remain in the country.

He said his country has paid a "very high price" for involvement in Afghanistan.

Cameron is on an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. The British premier became the first world leader to visit Afghanistan since the unity government came to power there.

Meanwhile, the new Afghan government and the United States recently inked a long-delayed security agreement on September 30 which will allow 9,800 American and at least 2,000 NATO troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team