Afghanistan's president says he won't immediately sign a security deal with the United States, ignoring a recommendation by an assembly of Afghan elders and leaders that he do so by the end of the year.
Hamid Karzai spoke after the Loya Jirga issued its statement Sunday. He argued Afghanistan needed more time to ensure that the United States was committed to peace in the country.
Although he did not repeat his earlier preference that he would wait until the April elections, he reiterated the need for more time. He did not say when he would sign.
The chairman of the 2,500-member national consultative council approved the deal and asked that it be signed by the end of 2013.
The deal would take effect Jan. 1, 2015, allowing U.S. forces to operate in the country for at least another decade.
Mohammed Daud Yaar, Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.K., says Karzai is reluctant to sign the agreement because that would tie the hands of the next president.
But Karzai said he wanted peace in Afghanistan as a condition for signing.
"America should bring peace to us and then we accept the agreement and will sign it," he said in his closing remarks to the Loya Jirga. "If they once again enter Afghan houses for military operations, there won't be any agreement."
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