Nato Will not Abandon Afghanistan: Chief

Nato chief Andres Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday said that Nato will not abandon Afghanistan as troops are withdrawing from the country, reports say.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Australia, he emphasized that Nato will not let a security gap after foreign forces leave Afghanistan.

"We will not abandon Afghanistan, we will not leave behind a security vacuum," Rasmussen said adding that he expects president Karzai to step down in the upcoming 2014 election.

He also added that all Nato member countries had committed to stay in Afghanistan till the end and will leave Afghanistan together, but some may reduce number of their troops during the mission.

"There may be partners, may be allies, who will reduce their troops' presence during the transition period but they have declared they will stay committed throughout the transition until the end of 2014," he said.

"All 50 nations within our Isaf coalition have sent the clear message 'in together, out together,' and that's a basic principle."

"People want to see progress, so do I," he said, adding that foreign forces had deployed to Afghanistan to prevent the country from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists from which to launch attacks.

"Despite this impatience, all Isaf coalition partners have decided to stay committed, to see this operation though to a successful end. And that's encouraging despite the economic crisis and declining public support."