Cameron and Obama announce Afghanistan pullout plans

International forces in Afghanistan will shift into a “support role” from next year, the Prime Minister and his US counterpart said following talks in the White House.

Mr Obama told a joint press conference that details of the next stage of transition to Afghan control would be determined at the Nato summit in Chicago.

Mr Cameron said: “Recent days have reminded us just how difficult our mission is and how high the cost of this war has been for Britain, for America and for Afghans themselves.”

His comments came as a stolen vehicle was driven onto the runway of the main British base in Afghanistan, Camp Bastion, and then burst into flames at around the same time as US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta arrived there.

Mr Cameron added: “We will not give up on this mission because Afghanistan must never again be a safe haven for al Qaida to launch attacks against us.

“We will not build a perfect Afghanistan, although let’s be clear, we are making some tangible progress.

“But we can help ensure that Afghan is capable of delivering its own security without the need for large numbers of foreign troops.”

He went on: “We are now in the final phases of our military mission.

“That transition to Afghan control, as agreed at Lisbon, is now well under way. And next year, as the president said, in 2013, this includes shifting to a support role.

“This is in advance of Afghans taking full responsibility for security in 2014.”

Afghanistan: taking on the Taliban

Mr Obama said acknowledged the American public was “weary” of the conflict but insisted people understood why international forces were in Afghanistan.

“We have been there for ten years and people get weary. No one wants war,” he said.

The leaders used the press conference to send out a message that ties between the two countries were stronger than ever.

“There are some countries whose alliance is a matter of convenience, but ours is a matter of conviction,” the Prime Minister said.

President Obama in turn described Mr Cameron as an “outstanding ally, partner and friend”.

He also said that the US would begin implementing a “long-awaited defence trade treaty” with the UK from next month.

“This will put advanced technologies in the hands of our troops and it will mean more jobs for workers in both of our countries,” he said.