Afghanistan, US sign Bilateral Security Agreement

KABUL - The government of Afghanistan and the United States of America inked Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) here on Tuesday to allow limited number of troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014 pullout of the NATYO-led troops in the country.

Afghan Presidential Advisor on National Security, Mohammad Hanif Atmar and US Ambassador to Afghanistan James B. Cunningham signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

Under the agreement, the US would keep around 10,000 military service members in Afghanistan to train and advice the Afghan security forces.

Speaking after inking the agreement, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai described the agreement as a milestone in enhancing bilateral relations between Kabul and Washington.

Allaying the concerns of the neighboring states, the Afghan president said, "the security agreement with U.S. poses no threats to the neighboring countries.

"No nuclear or chemical weapons will be deployed in the Afghanistan soil in the wake of the agreement," president Ahmadzai categorically stated.

In his short speech after signing the agreement, Ambassador Cunningham stated that inking the agreement paves the way for further enhancing relations and cooperation between Afghanistan and the United States of America.