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World

Afghan president to press council of elders for delay in signing security deal

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Afghan delegates walk on the street on the third day of the Loya Jirga, or the consultative council in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. Representatives from different groups gather in separate rooms and discuss until meeting again in the council. President Hamid Karzai on Friday rebuffed American demands that he sign a security pact allowing U.S. forces to stay in the country for another decade, while the U.S. defense secretary warned that planning for a post-2014 military presence may be jeopardized if the deal isn't finalized by the end of the year. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) (The Associated Press)

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    An Afghan soldier stands guard as security tightens in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where thousands of delegates from different tribes meet for the Loya Jirga, or the consultative council in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. President Hamid Karzai on Friday rebuffed American demands that he sign a security pact allowing U.S. forces to stay in the country for another decade, while the U.S. defense secretary warned that planning for a post-2014 military presence may be jeopardized if the deal isn't finalized by the end of the year. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) (The Associated Press)

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    An Afghan soldier checks a police vehicle as security tightens in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where thousands of delegates from different groups meet for the Loya Jirga, or the consultative council in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. President Hamid Karzai on Friday rebuffed American demands that he sign a security pact allowing U.S. forces to stay in the country for another decade, while the U.S. defense secretary warned that planning for a post-2014 military presence may be jeopardized if the deal isn't finalized by the end of the year. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) (The Associated Press)

KABUL, Afghanistan – A spokesman for Afghanistan's president says Hamid Karzai will press a council of elders to delay signing a security deal with the United States until next year.

Aimail Faizi said Sunday Karzai will press his case for a delay in signing until after next April's elections in a speech to close a four-day meeting of 2,500 Afghan tribal elders and other regional leaders known as a Loya Jirga. Karzai convened the council, saying Afghanistan would likely not sign without its approval.

President Barak Obama's administration has said it wants a deal signed by the end of the year and warned that planning for a post-2014 military presence may be jeopardized if it is not approved by Karzai.

The deal could keep thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan for another decade.