CRI听力:Obama to Leave 9800 US Troops in Afghanistan

The US President Barack Obama has made a detailed announcement regarding the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan.

CRI's Ding Lulu has more.

The US President has hinted that the longest war in American history will finally end by the time he leaves office in 2017.

"At the beginning of 2015, we will have approximately 9,800 U.S. servicemembers in different parts of the country, together with our NATO allies and other partners. By the end of 2015, we will have reduced that presence by roughly half, and we will have consolidated our troops in Kabul and on Bagram Airfield. One year later, by the end of 2016, our military will draw down to a normal embassy presence in Kabul, with a security assistance component, just as we've done in Iraq."

The announcement follows a surprise visit made by the president over the weekend to US army bases in Afghanistan.

It also comes weeks ahead of the presidential runoff election in the country.

President Obama is expressing confidence of signing a joint security agreement with the new Afghan government, as the current leader Hamid Karzai has refused to endorse the deal.

"We will only sustain this military presence after 2014 if the Afghan government signs the Bilateral Security Agreement that our two governments have already negotiated. This Agreement is essential to give our troops the authorities they need to fulfill their mission, while respecting Afghan sovereignty. The two final Afghan candidates in the run-off election for President have each indicated that they would sign this agreement promptly after taking office. So I'm hopeful that we can get this done."

Acknowledging that "Afghanistan will not be a perfect place," the president says the US will continue its support of the Afghan government, but more through economic and diplomatic efforts.

The United States first launched its military presence in Afghanistan following the al-Qaeda attacks on September 11th, 2001.

The number of US troops in the country peaked in 2011 at about 101 thousand personnel, and now stands at 32 thousand.

According to President Obama, the remaining troops will focus on two missions: training Afghan security forces, and aiding anti-terrorism operation.

For CRI, this is Ding Lulu.