WASHINGTON - The White House (WH) strongly refuted the Presidential Palace allegation on the reconciliation process, insisting the United States had long supported an Afghan-led peace process.

"We have long supported an Afghan-led peace process and will continue to do so," Laura Lucas, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, told Pajhwok Afghan News after President Karzai's  spokesman said the US was not serious about pushing reconciliation talks.

The White House insisted the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) text could not be reopened. "Negotiations on the BSA have concluded," Lucas said, ruling out changes to the draft.

Also on Monday, Washington urged Kabul to sign the agreement as soon as possible. "I think we’ve been pretty clear on the need to move forward as quickly as possible, and of course we’re in touch with our allies about it," the State Department spokesperson said.

Jen Psaki told reporters signing the accord was in the interests of the Afghan people, who deserved the security of knowing what their future was. "Just as the United States and NATO allies deserve the certainty of knowing how to plan..."

Separately, the US praised Pakistan's role in promoting the Afghan reconciliation process and recognized the efforts being made by Islamabad in this regard.

In a joint statement issued after US-Pak Strategic Dialogue, US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz, recognized "the paramount importance" of regional stability.

Stressing that a peaceful, stable, independent, and united Afghanistan was in interest of all, the two leaders affirmed the role of countries in the region in supporting Afghanistan’s progress toward stability and prosperity.

"Both sides emphasized their support for a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan, including by all countries of the region," the joint statement said Kerry and Aziz also reaffirmed Afghan-led reconciliation was the surest way to end violence and ensure lasting stability.

"They noted Pakistan’s important role in supporting Afghan-led reconciliation, and Secretary Kerry expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s concrete efforts in this regard," they said reiterating their call on the Taliban to join the political process and enter into dialogue with the Afghan government.

"Kerry and Aziz reiterated that peace and reconciliation must respect the historic achievements that Afghanistan has made over the past decade," the joint statement said adding that both sides shared their mutual conviction that a stable and peaceful Pakistan-Afghanistan border was important for the success of counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and counter-IED efforts, and that cross-border militancy was a serious threat to both countries.

The two leaders also underscored the critical significance of improved border control in achieving these objectives. (Pajhwok)