Karzai to discuss transition in U.S. visit

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KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is concerned the 2014 withdrawal of NATO troops will create an economic gap in the country, the Afghan foreign minister said.

Karzai is due to arrive Monday in the United States to discuss security and political transitions, a security agreement, the peace process and elections, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul said Thursday.

"NATO troops withdrawal will create economic issues for us. Thousands of Afghans are working on these bases and we should prevent economic gap since unemployment will itself become a major risk for the future of Afghanistan," Rassoul said.

The two countries are expected to sign a security and military agreement during Karzai's visit, Khaama Press reported.

Rassoul said Karzai will also urge the United States to implement infrastructure improvements throughout the southern and eastern portions of the country feared to become safe havens for militants.