Dunford Urges Troops Should Remain in Afghanistan

"The Afghan Taliban and all its sub-groups, including the Haqqani Network, remain capable of conducting high profile attacks though counter-terrorism pressure has degraded this ability," Dunford said in his Tuesday address to a senate committee in Washington.

"However, the Taliban remain firm in their conviction that Isaf's drawdown and perceived ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces) weakness...will translate into a restoration of their pre-surge military capabilities and influence."

The four-star general pointed out the continued existence of insurgent safe havens.

"Safe havens in Afghanistan and sanctuaries in Pakistan continue to provide Taliban senior leadership some freedom of movement and freedom of action, facilitating the training of fighters, and the planning of operations," he said.

The General expressed that he has hopes for the peace talks with the Taliban but he believes the efforts have not been as productive as they should be.

"I don't have any insight today that would lead me to believe the Taliban will be part of the political process in 2014,' he said.

Alongside Dunford's statements, some of Afghan MPs have suggested that the international forces should back the local forces.

"Foreign forces should stay along with the Afghan security forces for the regional threats after 2014. The United States of America should review its policy on this. The presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan is, of course, important to Afghanistan," said Shukria Barikzai, MP.

Although the exact number of US forces to remain in Afghanistan is yet not clear, Dunford remarked that he expects around 13,000 US troops and 7,000 from other countries to stay in the country after 2014.

There are currently about 107,000 foreign troops including 66,000 US troops fighting insurgency alongside Afghan insurgency in Afghanistan.

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