An assembly of Afghan elders endorsed a crucial security deal yesterday to enable US troops to operate in the country beyond next year, but President Hamid Karzai left the matter up in the air by refusing to say whether he would sign it into law.

The gathering, known as the Loya Jirga, had been convened by the President to debate the pact which outlines the legal terms of continued US military presence in Afghanistan. It voted in favour and advised Karzai to sign it promptly.

But Karzai, in his final remarks to the four-day meeting, said he would not sign it until after a presidential election due next April.

Afghan President insisting on signing agreement next year

“If there is no peace, then this agreement will bring misfortune to Afghanistan,” he said.

“Peace is our precondition. America should bring us peace and then we will sign it.”

The President did not elaborate, but has previously said a free and fair vote is needed to guarantee peace in the country and his spokesman later said Karzai had not changed his mind.

As the meeting ended, assembly chairman Sibghatullah Mojeddedi told Karzai: “If you don’t sign it, we will be disappointed.” Karzai responded “Fine!” and left the stage.

Failure to clinch the deal could mean a full US pullout, leaving Afghanistan to fight the Taliban insurgency on its own. US troops have been there since leading a drive to remove the group in 2001.