Cameron in Afghanistan warns Taliban

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KABUL, Afghanistan, July 19 (UPI) -- Prime Minister David Cameron said in Kabul Britain wants to work with Afghanistan in transforming that country's future, and issued a warning to the Taliban.

Addressing a news conference in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Cameron said there could be more political progress if the Taliban were to end the insurgency. He said the militant group would make a grave mistake by assuming its insurgents can destabilize Afghanistan after the coalition forces end combat operations by 2014, Britain's Guardian reported.

Cameron said the Taliban should "be in no doubt" about the ability of Afghan forces to confront the insurgency after NATO troops withdraw.

"Over the last three months, the international community has made clear our commitment to securing Afghanistan's future and prosperity for decades to come. We want to work with you to transform the future together," Cameron said to Karzai.

"What I would say to the Taliban is be in no doubt there is a very clear and strong plan to transfer lead security responsibility from very capable ISAF (International Security and Assistant Force) forces, including British forces, to very capable Afghan forces," he said.

The Guardian said the prime minister, indicating Britain's commitment to Afghanistan beyond 2014, signed an agreement for an officer training camp in Kabul that would involve 90 British army members mentoring Afghan forces.

Karzai praised Cameron as a longstanding friend of Afghanistan. He expressed his commitment to reconciliation, saying, "The peace process is the most important of our pursuits for Afghanistan it remains the highest priority."

Cameron, whose Afghanistan visit coincided with the visit of Pakistan's new Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, expressed Britain's desire for improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.