U.K. has long-term Afghan commitment

LONDON, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The British commitment to Afghanistan is enduring despite a pledge to halt combat operations by 2015, the British prime minister said.

NATO leaders met in Portugal last weekend to discuss the future of the alliance, a strategic arms treaty with Russia and the commitment to the Afghan war.

British Prime Minister David Cameron following the meeting said he set a "firm deadline" to end Afghan combat operations by 2015.

"The commitment we have entered into today to transfer the lead responsibility for security to the Afghan government by the end of 2014 will pave the way for British combat troops to be out of Afghanistan by 2015," his said in a statement.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would like to have his forces take over for security in the country by 2014, something NATO leaders agreed to at the Lisbon summit.

Though British forces wouldn't serve a combat role beyond 2015, Cameron said NATO leaders agreed to provide assistance and long-term support for training, diplomacy and development.

Cameron told lawmakers Monday that the commitment to Afghanistan was in Britain's best interests.

"We are there because the Afghans are not yet capable of securing their own country from terrorists -- and these terrorists threaten the whole world," he said in a statement. "So it is for our own national security that we help them."