WASHINGTON - The Obama Administration said on Thursday that the goal of the United States in Afghanistan is to enable Afghans to fully manage their own security.

"Our intention and the intention of the Afghan government is that US troops are withdrawing, will withdraw, along with allied and other ISAF-contributing countries, in the context of ANSF forces being able to fully take the lead and manage Afghan security across the country," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is due to arrive in Washington next week to discuss with his American counterpart, Barack Obama, issues concerning the security transition from NATO troops to Afghan control.

Nuland said equipping and training Afghan forces would continue and the US remained prepared to support Afghan security in every manner considered appropriate. "But the goal is not to turn back the clock, but rather to have Afghans able to fully manage their own security," she said in response to a question.

Nuland said the United States and Pakistan were committed to supporting Afghan-led reconciliation. "This needs to be done in a manner that encourages the best possible path forward, a renunciation of violence, acceptance of the Afghan constitution, et cetera. But we are very supportive of dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan that can support reconciliation," she said.

Karzai will be travelling to the US between January 8 and 11. "Obviously, if the Secretary (of State) is back to work when he's here, she'll look forward to participating in that visit," Buland said.

"I think we expect the full range of issues to come up, the issues of security, issues of political transition.. there are elections scheduled in 2014 in Afghanistan, US ongoing economic support, our Silk Road strategy, our regional integration strategy. So there's a lot to talk about when President Karzai comes, and we're all looking forward to having him in the US," Nuland said in response to a question. (Pajhwok)