Hague: UK committed to Afghan troop withdrawal by 2014

Both the UK and US remain committed to a timetable for withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, the foreign secretary has told MPs.

Speaking during the Commons' quarterly update on the situation in the country, William Hague said there would be a gradual transfer of responsibility to the Afghan National Army, with local troops expected to take "lead responsibility" during 2013.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander raised concerns about comments from US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta about a US withdrawal from combat roles in 2013.

But Mr Hague said he was "not conscious" of any difference in position between the allied countries operating in Afghanistan.

He told the Commons: "The US defence secretary has stressed US forces will remain combat capable and ready in Afghanistan to the end of 2014. He has also said very clearly we have got to stick to the Lisbon strategy - the United States has a very strong commitment to Lisbon and to the strategy that was laid out there.

"That is a strategy that involved withdrawing from a combat role after the end of 2014."

The foreign secretary told MPs there had been steady progress in Afghanistan in recent months.

He said a series of meetings, including a visit to the UK by the Pakistan foreign minister on 21 February, would continue to work on improving the situation in the country.

"In 2012, it will be an important year to consolidate this progress and strengthen the international commitment to Afghanistan and long term partnership with its people," Mr Hague concluded.