Karzai welcomes troop withdrawal
Afghan president Hamid Karzai has welcomed news that nearly half of Britain's troops will be withdrawn from the country next year.
Mr Karzai insisted his forces are ready to take on defence of the country.
A statement from the president's office released today said the partial pull-out is an "appropriate" move as Nato forces hand over the war against the Taliban to the Afghan military.
British Prime Minister David Cameron announced yesterday that about 3,800 British troops would be withdrawn by the end of 2013, leaving some 5,000 into 2014.
The majority of Nato forces, including those of the United States, will depart by the end of 2014.
