US Secretary of State John Kerry said progress had been made during extended talks with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Saturday to hammer out a deal on the future of US forces in Afghanistan.
Kerry had been due to fly to Paris in the morning, but all-day negotiations ran into the evening to try to finalise the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), which would allow some US troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014.
"We are going to try to see if we can make a little more progress, which is what we have been doing all day long," Kerry said at the US embassy before returning the presidential palace for further meetings.
"If this thing can come together, this will put the Taliban (insurgents) on their heels," he added.
A US official said Kerry wanted "to leave Kabul with as many issues resolved as possible".
Karzai recently threatened to abandon the security deal, which the US wants signed within weeks to enable the NATO military coalition to plan its withdrawal of 87,000 combat troops from Afghanistan by December 2014.
"There is still some work to do on the document. Things are not yet finalised," Karzai's spokesman told reporters before the start of the third round of talks since Kerry arrived on Friday.
The Afghan government has previously said its sticking points over the BSA were US demands for the right to conduct unilateral military operations against militants, and how the US would pledge to protect Afghanistan.
The lengthy negotiations between Kerry and Karzai came as the US said it had captured a senior leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Latif Mehsud, who is being held in Afghanistan, according to officials.
"I can confirm that US forces did capture... terrorist leader Latif Mehsud in a military operation," State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said, describing him as a senior commander in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Washington Post reported Mehsud was seen by Afghanistan as a possible go-between in the struggling peace efforts between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban, and that Karzai had been angered by his capture.
Karzai officially suspended BSA talks in June in a furious reaction to the Afghan Taliban opening a liaison office in Qatar that was presented as an embassy for a government in waiting.
He has said he refuses to be rushed into signing the deal, and would first seek approval from a traditional grand assembly of tribal leaders to be convened in about month's time.
Any agreement would see between 5,000 and 10,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan to train local forces and target Al-Qaeda remnants, but months of wrangling have tested both sides' patience.
The collapse of a similar agreement with Iraq in 2011 led to the US pulling its troops out of the country, which is currently suffering its worst sectarian violence since 2008.
But Afghan officials dismiss the possibility that the US may enact the "zero option" of a complete pull-out after its soldiers have fought the Taliban since 2001.
Karzai has had a tempestuous relationship with the US and other foreign allies since he came to power in 2001, often sparking outrage with his criticism of international military efforts to thwart the Taliban insurgents.
"The entire NATO exercise was one that caused Afghanistan a lot of suffering, a lot of loss of life, and no gains," he said this week.
A credible election to choose Karzai's successor next year is seen as the key test of Afghan stability as NATO troops withdraw. Kerry was also due to discuss issues such as voter registration and security with the president.
The Taliban regime was driven from power by a US-led coalition in 2001 for sheltering the Al-Qaeda leaders behind the 9/11 attacks.
Since then, the Islamist rebels have fought a bloody insurgency, and the US and Afghan governments now back peace talks to end the conflict.
Kerry had been due to travel to London after Paris.
AFP
Sat Oct 12 2013
![Kerry sees progress as security talks in Kabul extended Kerry sees progress as security talks in Kabul extended](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-10/81381567045_295x200.jpg)
KKM ingatkan APHM tumpu kepada pay for outcome
Pemilik dan pemain industri kesihatan swasta khususnya Persatuan Hospital Swasta (APHM) mengambil kira menyediakan perkhidmatan untuk menampakkan hasil dan bukan menyediakan perkhidmatan tertumpu kepada kemudahan semata.
Penubuhan National Health Fund bertujuan kumpul sumber pembiayaan dirancang -KKM
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) memaklumkan penubuhan dana kesihatan negara dengan izin National Health Fund yang diuruskan secara telus, efisien dan berintegriti sedang dipertimbangkan untuk mengumpul pelbagai sumber pembiayaan yang dirancang.
Keperluan memperkukuh infrastuktur sumber peralihan tenaga - Pakar
Peningkatan kapasiti grid dan teknologi storan tenaga menjadi fokus utama Malaysia dalam menghadapi cabaran kestabilan tenaga dan mewujudkan landskap tenaga yang lebih berkesan. Artikel ini mengulas strategi dan inisiatif kerajaan dalam membangunkan infrastruktur yang kritis untuk menyokong pertumbuhan sumber tenaga boleh diperbaharui dan mengurangkan bergantung kepada sumber tradisional seperti arang.
Malaysia komited capai Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari PBB – NGA
Malaysia komited untuk mencapai Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (SDGs) serta mengutamakan kesejahteraan rakyatnya.
![WhatsApp mudahkan anda berhubung dengan rakan-rakan melalui ciri 'Kegemaran' WhatsApp mudahkan anda berhubung dengan rakan-rakan melalui ciri 'Kegemaran'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721190179_tbWhatsApp.jpg)
WhatsApp mudahkan anda berhubung dengan rakan-rakan melalui ciri 'Kegemaran'
Anda boleh melabelkan beberapa rakan-rakan atau ahli keluarga di bawah label berkenaan, dan seterusnya berhubung dengan mereka dengan lebih pantas berbanding yang lain.
[TERKINI] Jenazah Nur Farah Kartini dikebumikan di Pekan
Jenazah bekas penuntut Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah, 25, dijangka akan dikebumikan di Pekan, Pahang, pada Rabu.
![MITI tekad jadikan Malaysia peneraju serantau sektor teknologi hijau MITI tekad jadikan Malaysia peneraju serantau sektor teknologi hijau](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716607692_TBZAFRUL.jpg)
MITI tekad jadikan Malaysia peneraju serantau sektor teknologi hijau
Kementerian Pelaburan, Perdagangan dan Industri (MITI) bersedia menyokong pelaksanaan Strategi Pelaburan Hijau bagi menarik pelaburan hijau ke Malaysia dan memangkin pembangunan sosio-ekonomi lestari.
[TERKINI] Punca kematian Nur Farah Kartini belum dapat disahkan - Polis
Menurut Ketua Polis Selangor Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, pihak Pakar Patalogi Jabatan Forensik Hospital Sungai Buloh memerlukan keputusan analisis makmal terhadap beberapa sampel biologi yang diambil pada mayat untuk mengenal pasti punca kematian.
[TERKINI] PM arah MOSTI senaraikan 100 saintis untuk ke 100 sekolah
Perdana Menteri mengarahkan Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Chang Lih Kang menyenaraikan 100 saintis dalam bidang bioteknologi untuk pergi ke 100 sekolah dan menganjurkan program di sana.
![Mayat lelaki tanpa identiti ditemukan terapung di Sungai Malim Mayat lelaki tanpa identiti ditemukan terapung di Sungai Malim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720161058_TBLOGOPDRM.jpg)
Mayat lelaki tanpa identiti ditemukan terapung di Sungai Malim
Mayat seorang lelaki tanpa identiti ditemukan terapung dalam keadaan tertiarap di Sungai Malim.
![Afghanistan siap sedia sambut Aidiladha meski berdepan cabaran ekonomi Afghanistan siap sedia sambut Aidiladha meski berdepan cabaran ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718507756_afghanistandaging.jpg)
Afghanistan siap sedia sambut Aidiladha meski berdepan cabaran ekonomi
Kadar pengangguran dan kemiskinan yang tinggi mengurangkan kuasa beli rakyat Afghanistan secara drastik, menyukarkan mereka untuk melaksanakan ibadah korban.
![Tehran dakwa penjajahan asing sebagai punca utama masalah Afghanistan Tehran dakwa penjajahan asing sebagai punca utama masalah Afghanistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71713357385_tbAfghanwoman.jpg)
Tehran dakwa penjajahan asing sebagai punca utama masalah Afghanistan
Punca masalah dan cabaran Afghanistan ialah pendudukan negara itu sebelum ini dan kurangnya perhatian terhadap pembangunan ekonominya oleh bekas penjajah.
![Pilihan raya Pakistan: Perkhidmatan rangkaian mudah alih digantung, sempadan ditutup Pilihan raya Pakistan: Perkhidmatan rangkaian mudah alih digantung, sempadan ditutup](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/81707382428_TBgeneralelection.jpg)
Pilihan raya Pakistan: Perkhidmatan rangkaian mudah alih digantung, sempadan ditutup
Pihak berkuasa Pakistan menggantung perkhidmatan mudah alih dan menutup sempadan dengan negara jiran Afghanistan dan Iran selepas insiden pengeboman.
![150,000 wanita dan sektor kesihatan, hak tidak diabaikan - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan 150,000 wanita dan sektor kesihatan, hak tidak diabaikan - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/71662523236_Afghanistan.jpg)
150,000 wanita dan sektor kesihatan, hak tidak diabaikan - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan
Seramai 150,000 wanita berkhidmat dalam sektor kesihatan Afghanistan ketika ini dengan pelbagai cabang kepakaran.
![Afghanistan ketika ini 100 peratus aman - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan Afghanistan ketika ini 100 peratus aman - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41682072388_TBafghan.jpg)
Afghanistan ketika ini 100 peratus aman - Menteri Kesihatan Awam Afghanistan
Situasi di Afghanistan jauh lebih baik berbanding 20 tahun lalu yang menyaksikan ratusan orang maut akibat peperangan.
![Afghanistan perlu raih semula penghormatan untuk membangun - Penganalisis Afghanistan perlu raih semula penghormatan untuk membangun - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/71703158101_Herizal.jpg)
Afghanistan perlu raih semula penghormatan untuk membangun - Penganalisis
Afghanistan perlu memecahkan persepsi negatif terhadap negaranya dan meraih semula penghormatan komuniti antarabangsa untuk membangun.
![Genosid di Gaza hancurkan 'kredibiliti' pertubuhan dunia - Afghanistan Genosid di Gaza hancurkan 'kredibiliti' pertubuhan dunia - Afghanistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/81699770973_TBAlShifahospital.jpg)
Genosid di Gaza hancurkan 'kredibiliti' pertubuhan dunia - Afghanistan
Afghanistan mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya rejim Israel itu kerana meneruskan pengeboman yang membunuh ratusan rakyat Palestin sejak jeda kemanusiaan tamat pada Jumaat.
![Gempa bumi landa barat laut Afghanistan, 100 cedera Gempa bumi landa barat laut Afghanistan, 100 cedera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/51696689815_AfghanistanGempa.jpg)
Gempa bumi landa barat laut Afghanistan, 100 cedera
Sekurang-kurangnya 100 orang cedera selepas satu lagi gempa bumi kuat berukuran 6.3 pada skala Richter menggegarkan barat laut Afghanistan pada Ahad.
![80 cedera dalam gempa bumi kuat di Afghanistan 80 cedera dalam gempa bumi kuat di Afghanistan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/81696720086_Afghanistanearthqua.jpg)
80 cedera dalam gempa bumi kuat di Afghanistan
Menurut penduduk tempatan, kebanyakan mangsa yang cedera telah dibawa ke hospital.
![Angka kematian gempa bumi Afghanistan meningkat lebih 2,000 orang Angka kematian gempa bumi Afghanistan meningkat lebih 2,000 orang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/81696720086_Afghanistanearthqua.jpg)
Angka kematian gempa bumi Afghanistan meningkat lebih 2,000 orang
Lebih 2,000 orang maut selepas beberapa gempa bumi kuat menggegarkan barat Afghanistan pada Sabtu.