Jawad said the number of coalition forces left in

Afghanistan post-2014 will impact the security transition, the upcoming elections, and any potential reconciliation with the Taliban and other opposition groups. "The US has said that its troop numbers will be modest, but meaningful. Meaningful is only possible if Afghanistan is able to meet its side of the commitment," he said. During his joint press conference with Karzai at the White House on January 11, Obama had announced acceleration in the ongoing security transition of forces in Afghanistan saying the US-led coalition forces will move to a support role this spring. "Next year, this long war will come to a responsible end. Today we agreed that, as Afghan forces take the lead and as President Karzai announces the final phase of the transition, coalition forces will move to a support role this spring," Obama said following his meeting with Karzai. "Our troops will continue to fight alongside Afghans when needed, but let me say it as plainly as I can. Starting this spring, our troops will have a different mission: training, advising, assisting Afghan forces," Obama had said. "It will be a historic moment and another step toward full Afghan sovereignty, something I know that President Karzai cares deeply about, as do the Afghan people," he added.