Obama welcomes third phase of Afghan security transfer

US President Barack Obama has welcomed Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai’s announcement of transfer of security from NATO to Afghan forces. Obama said in a White House statement late on Monday, the start of the third phase of security transfer to Afghan forces is “an important step forward in our effort to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan.” He said, according to the statement, as moves are getting closer to this transitional phase, “nearly 75 percent of the population of Afghanistan will be living in provinces, districts and villages where Afghan forces are leading.” Obama noted “The Afghan National Security Forces are strengthening their capacity as we remain on track to meet our goal of having the Afghan government fully responsible for security across the country by the end of 2014.” According to the statement, leaders from across the world will meet at the NATO Summit in Chicago on May 20-21 “to discuss how we can effectively advance the transition process as our forces move from combat to a support role and demonstrate our enduring support for the Afghan government and Afghan National Security Forces.” Obama further said “I look forward to meeting with President Karzai and my fellow leaders in Chicago to discuss these critical steps that will strengthen Afghan sovereignty while responsibly winding down the war.”