Description:

The United States is said to be backing away from a December 31 deadline for signing the controversial security deal with Afghanistan.
American and Afghan officials say the Obama administration is going to wait in order to strike the deal that will allow it to keep its troops in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 withdrawal deadline. The decision, however, is being viewed as an embarrassing turn following weeks of threats by US officials that a complete withdrawal is possible if President Hamid Karzai refuses to sign the pact. The Afghan president came under additional pressure after NATO chief urged him to sign the deal with the US or there will be no agreement with the military alliance either. Karzai has warned that he will not allow continued foreign presence if it means more bombs and civilian killings.