LONDON - London is committed to providing support to Afghanistan until it has the ability to sustain itself economically, the British foreign secretary said.
World delegates gathered for an Afghan conference in Bonn, Germany, this week to discuss ways to help the country maintain stability with international forces looking at a 2014 departure date.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said his country was committed to Afghanistan beyond the 2014 military deadline.

"We have committed ourselves to provide economic support to Afghanistan for the decade after 2014, until Afghanistan becomes economically self-sustainable," he said in a statement. "Alongside this, the Afghan government has committed itself to reinvigorating the progress on key development priorities, including governance, anti-corruption and rule of law."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said during the conference his country might need billions of dollars in foreign aid "for at least another decade."

With scores dead during a bombing on the Shiite community in Afghanistan during the holy day of Ashura, Afghanistan needs help in building a viable fighting force.

"We have also agreed to produce a clear plan for the future funding for the Afghan National Security Forces in advance of the NATO Chicago summit next May," said Hague. "This will ensure the ANSF can tackle challenges to Afghanistan's security beyond 2014." (UPI)