Afghanistan's future depends on foreign soldiers: U.S. commander

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander General Joseph Dunford speaks during an interview in Kabul August 13, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's security will remain dependent on international troops for many years after most foreign combat forces leave by the end of 2014, the U.S. commander of the NATO-led force in the South Asian country said.

With the formal security handover to Afghans approaching, intense debate is under way about how many troops the United States and its mainly NATO allies should leave to conduct training, support and counter-terrorism operations.