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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan and the United States have signed a long-awaited security pact that will allow U.S. forces to remain in the country past the end of year.
At a Tuesday ceremony in the capital, Kabul, newly appointed national security adviser Mohmmad Hanif Atmar signed the document along with U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham.
President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (ahsh-RAHF' gah-NEE' ah-mahd-ZEYE'), who was sworn into office a day earlier, told the assembled crowd that the agreement signaled a fundamental shift in the country's relations with the world.
He said, "This agreement is only for Afghan security and stability."
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