US will commence Afghan withdrawl from July 2011: Holbrooke

The process of retreating US combat troops from Afghanistan will start in July next year and will be finished in four years in a phased manner, America's Special Envoy for Af-Pak region Richard Holbrooke said today.

The process of troop withdrawal is not an exit strategy but a transition strategy, Holbrooke told reporters at a roundtable discussion here.

The US wants to return full sovereignty to the people and government of Afghanistan, he said.

A summit of NATO countries to be held next week will be attended by US President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be invited to put forth his plans and policies, Holbrooke said.

The Taliban's order for Karzai's removal is unacceptable, he said.

"The US and other countries, including Pakistan, maintain the government of President Karzai and the Taliban will have to live with this reality," he added.

Holbrooke told a questioner that Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to cooperate to resolve the issue of terrorism.