US to keep 9,800 Afghanistan troops after 2014

The US will keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after the US concludes its combat mission at the end of this year, President Barack Obama has said.

Under the plan he announced at the White House, the US will then gradually withdraw troops until only a small residual force remains after 2016.

The remaining troops would guard the US embassy, train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations.

But the plan depends on the Afghans signing a joint security agreement.

While current Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign such an agreement, the Obama administration appears to be confident either of the two candidates seeking to replace him would do so.

"This year, we will bring America's longest war to its responsible end," Mr Obama said