WASHINGTON - Officials from the US and Afghanistan are studying a "tentative" agreement on a strategic partnership between the two nations post 2014, the White House and Defense Department said Tuesday, confirming that the agreement "finalized" on Sunday was by no means final.
"For the United States, that will mean review by the interagency, consultation with Congress, as appropriate, and final review by the president," the White House said. "Once these internal processes are complete, we expect to be in a position to sign the agreement."

US and Afghan officials have previously said they want the agreement to be signed before or during the NATO summit in Chicago next month.
The agreement was "initialed" final by representatives of the two countries at a ceremony in Kabul on Sunday, but there are still a range of approvals for the document to be officially recognized by both nations.

The US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that reaching this point is still a big step.

"It is fair to say that it represents a significant step in the relationship and makes clear that the United States is committed to an enduring presence in Afghanistan that will be there to help Afghanistan to become a country that can securely govern itself. We've committed to an enduring presence and this agreement makes clear that we will have that presence there beyond 2014," he said.

On Monday, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta went before the Afghan Senate and Parliament respectively to discuss the agreement, and both stressed that the country's lawmakers would have the final say.

Speaking before the Senate, Rassoul said the agreement will be valid for ten years and is not applicable unless approved by the parliament.
Spanta said the draft will be provided to the MPs only after it is signed by the both presidents, adding that this was also the case in the US.

When asked to explain this, he said the signing of the agreement by both countries' presidents was conditional on the agreement of their respective governments.
"When its signed by the US President, then we can provide the draft to you," he told the MPs.

Government officials have told Tolo news that the agreement had been redrafted 23 times over an 18-month negotiation period. (Tolo News)