Karzai: U.S.-Afghan security pact ready for national council action

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A draft security agreement with the United States has been finalized, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday.

The agreement must now be approved by the Loya Jirga, the country's national grand council, Khaama Press reported.

The central issue for the Loya Jirga will likely be the issue of immunity for U.S. troops that remain in the country after Western forces withdraw by the end of 2014.

Karzai and U.S. Secretary of State john Kerry resolved many of the issues in the bilateral agreement last month, but the immunity issue was not settled.

Afghanistan will probably refuse to sign the agreement if the council rejects it, Karzai said.