Afghanistan's Karzai criticises U.S., exposing tension

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday ratcheted up his criticism of Washington during a visit of the U.S. defence secretary, underscoring tension between allies struggling to stabilise the country ahead of a NATO troop withdrawal.

Karzai accused the United States and the Taliban of colluding to convince Afghans that foreign forces were needed to maintain peace in the country beyond next year, when most foreign combat forces are due to leave.