Afghanistan to take over own security after five years

As global leaders pledge $140m, conference decides troop withdrawal will begin this year.

LONDON // Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, and his international allies struck a hard bargain to put the failing Afghan mission on track at a conference of 70 countries in London which marked the beginning of the West's exit strategy from the country. The Afghans agreed to take responsibility for security after five years as global leaders pledged US$140 million (Dh514m) for an international trust fund to help reconcile Taliban insurgents with the government and reintegrate them into society.

The one-day conference was notable for the lack of optimistic gloss and spin which has characterised previous conferences in the nine years since the US-led coalition invaded Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban. "The conference has for the first time set a clear agenda with clear objectives," said Kai Eide, the United Nations' special envoy to Afghanistan. It was decided at the conference that foreign troops will begin withdrawing from districts - they were not named - as early as this year. Responsibility for half the provinces will be given to the Afghan police and army within two or three years.

For this to happen, donor nations agreed to help with the expansion of the army and police, which will number 305,600 by October 2011. A US military source at the conference said each battalion and unit would be given mentors. There will be a shift to the traditional justice system by strengthening local Shura councils to allow them to resolve local disputes which is the source of the vast majority of fighting between the Pashtun tribes in the south.

The top priority will be reconciling with the Taliban, which is Mr Karzai's personal project. A traditional tribal jirga, or gathering of elders will be convened later this spring to which the Taliban will be invited. The international fund for the National Council for Peace, Reconciliation and Reintegration will help former fighters with jobs and vocational training but there was no suggestion cash will be given to fighters to bribe them to stop fighting.

The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said the United States would back the plan if insurgents renounced violence, ties to al Qa'eda and embrace democracy. Mark Ward, special adviser on development for the United Nations, said former fighters could be put to work right away, a key concern of many observers who pointed out the national unemployment rate is 40 per cent. "Things can be done tomorrow. We can start investing in infrastructure in parts of the country where it is easier. For example, lay down foundations for new roads and put young people to work tomorrow."