'Afghanistan to take responsibility of own security in 18 months'

Afghanistan's top diplomat to the US today said that his country would be ready to take responsibility of its own security in the next 18 months, as announced by US President Barack Obama in his Af-Pak speech.

"In 18 months, we will be ready to begin taking responsibility of the security in provinces. Even before this speech, President (Hamid) Karzai had indicated that this will take shape in -- by province-by-province basis. Yes, we are ready," Afghan envoy Said T Jawad said.

Of the 37 provinces, Jawad said, the Afghan Government controls one – Kabul, the national capital and the most populated province. "But practically, we are in control in most of the central Afghanistan and northern Afghanistan. There is hardly anyone there. It's the Afghan forces that are controlling these provinces," he said.  

"If you decided to leave and do not fight this war and if you feel that you will be better off fighting this war through other means, then that will be your choice. We as Afghan people can ask you very humbly that you stay and continue this fight with us," he said.

"That will be your decision after 18 months if the proper progress has not been made or if the conditions have changed around Afghanistan to take the course that's appropriate. But I think that your presence there is for the safety and security of Afghanistan, the region and the world," Jawad said in response to a question.