Afghan president: We need support for another decade to consolidate gains

Afghan President Hamid Karzai today said "blood and treasure" had been spent fighting terrorism as he urged the international community to stand by his country.

Opening a Bonn conference focused on the transfer of power in Afghanistan, Mr Karzai said: "Your continued solidarity, your commitment and support will be crucial so that we can consolidate our gains and continue to address the challenges that remain. We will need your steadfast support for at least another decade."

He added: "Together we have spent blood and treasure in fighting terrorism." About 100 countries and international organisations are represented among the 1,000 delegates. But Pakistan, a key player in the region, is absent in protest at a Nato strike which killed 24 of its soldiers.

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle said: "The road ahead will remain stony and difficult. It will require endurance and tenacity. A stable and peaceful Afghanistan which does not pose a threat to the world is in the interest of all of us."

Mr Karzai will present a sobering view of its economic dependence on foreign aid and spending related to the huge military presence and seek assurance that donor nations will help fill the gap after most forces leave by 2015.

Although donor nations will not commit to specific figures at today's session, they will sign up to the principle that economic and other advances in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001 should be safeguarded. "The political process will be inclusive, open to the Taliban and other militants who renounce violence," Mr Karzai said.