Karzai refuses to sign Afghanistan-US deal until Taliban peace talks begin

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he will not sign a key US security pact until a peace process starts with the Taliban.

At a news conference, Karzai said Afghanistan would absolutely not accept or sign anything under pressure.

According to the BBC, most Nato-led foreign combat forces are due to leave this year, as combat operations are declared to be over.

Without a deal, the US will not be able to keep troops in Afghanistan after the end of 2014.

The pact, known officially as the Bilateral Security Agreement, was agreed in principle last year, but Karzai has consistently refused to sign it.

The agreement would see up to 15,000 international troops remain behind to train and mentor Afghan forces, the report said.

According to the report, in December, a top Afghan general warned that his nation might be dangerously exposed without the deal amid continuing Taliban violence.

On Saturday, Karzai said that peace in Afgahnistan lies in the hands of the US and Pakistan, demanding that they bring the Taliban to the negotiating table., the report added.