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Gaps seen for post-2014 Afghanistan

LONDON, April 10 (UPI) -- A British committee in the House of Commons said there was a degree of uncertainty in Afghanistan planning after 2014.

A House of Commons select committee on British operations in Afghanistan said the best the British government can hope for is an enduring commitment to a 2014 drawdown date with the country's future in mind.

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Committee Chairman James Arbuthnot said the British government will have limited influence in Afghanistan after 2014.

"Indeed, it is for the Afghan people themselves to determine their own future," he said in a statement. "However, the U.K. and its international partners must show the Afghan people that they will abide by their obligations to continue to support them in their efforts."

The committee, however, said there were significant gaps in what Afghan forces have and what they need in terms of ensuring national security after 2014. The committee added that it's received little information from the British Ministry of Defense of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on what role the government would have beyond 2014.

"As the plans for withdrawal mature, the committee calls on the Ministry of Defense to provide detailed plans and costs, in particular, to show that the force protection of personnel is at the forefront of its planning," the committee stated.

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