U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have spoken by telephone about putting Afghan forces increasingly in charge of Afghanistan's security during 2013.
The White House said they "affirmed" they "share the goal" of shifting the lead for combat operations to Afghan forces, with U.S. troops in support, during 2013.
It said they were committed to transferring full security responsibilities to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.
The two agreed to talk further about Karzai's call for foreign troops to be withdrawn from Afghan villages.
Following the March 11 massacre of 16 Afghan civilians allegedly by a U.S. soldier, Karzai called for a speedier transfer.
Obama has invited Karzai to a Chicago NATO summit in May where the alliance is to define the next transition phase.
The White House said they "affirmed" they "share the goal" of shifting the lead for combat operations to Afghan forces, with U.S. troops in support, during 2013.
It said they were committed to transferring full security responsibilities to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.
The two agreed to talk further about Karzai's call for foreign troops to be withdrawn from Afghan villages.
Following the March 11 massacre of 16 Afghan civilians allegedly by a U.S. soldier, Karzai called for a speedier transfer.
Obama has invited Karzai to a Chicago NATO summit in May where the alliance is to define the next transition phase.
