KABUL - US President Barack Obama highlighted the progress made against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and said America's goals in the war-torn country are "within reach" in his weekly radio address Saturday.

"This week I welcomed President Hamid Karzai to the White House to discuss the way ahead in Afghanistan. And today, I want to update you on how we will end this war, bring our troops home, and continue the work of rebuilding America," Obama said in the address broadcast via radio and internet.

"We agreed that this spring, Afghan forces will take the lead for security across the entire country, and our troops will shift to a support role. In the coming months, I'll announce the next phase of our drawdown. And by the end of next year, America's war in Afghanistan will be over."

"Over the past four years, thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we've dealt devastating blows to Al Qaeda. We've pushed the Taliban out of their strongholds. And our core objective - the reason we went to war in the first place - is now within reach: ensuring that Al Qaeda can never again use Afghanistan to launch attacks against America," he said.

He said that the progress has only been possible because of the heroic sacrifices of troops and diplomats, alongside forces from many other nations. More than a half million Americans - military and civilian - have served in Afghanistan. Thousands have been wounded. More than 2,000 have died.

There are some 66,000 US troops currently in Afghanistan. Washington's NATO allies and ISAF partners have been steadily reducing their troop numbers as well despite doubts about the ability of Afghan forces to shoulder full responsibility for security. (Tolo News)