Afghanistan ready to let US have nine bases

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he is ready to let theU.S. have nine bases in the country after the 2014 combat troop pullout, butwants Washington's "security and economic guarantees" first.

Speaking at a ceremony on Thursday at Kabul University,Karzai said Afghanistan is ready to sign a partnership agreement to thateffect.

Karzai says: "When they (the U.S.) do this, we areready to sign."

The remarks are the first time the Afghan leader has offeredany insight into ongoing talks over a deal that would outline American presencein Afghanistan after 2014.

Karzai says Afghanistan wants a U.S. commitment to quicklybring security to the country, strengthen its security forces and the promiseof prolonged economic development.

U.S. officials were not immediately available for comment.