Final agreement near on U.S.-Afghan security pact

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins says a bilateral security agreement between Kabul and Washington should be finalized soon.

Dobbins' comments came during a news conference at the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Khaama Press reported Friday.

The security agreement should be finalized within the next few weeks -- before electoral campaigns are launched, Dobbins said.

The agreement should not become a factor during the electoral campaigns, which will begin within the next three and half months, he said.

Talks on the agreement were stalled by Afghan President Hamid Karzai following the opening of the Taliban office in Qatar. However, during meetings with U.S. officials in Kabul, Karzai said he was prepared to sign an agreement with Washington.