KABUL - A group of the United Kingdom MPs on Tuesday said that the start of an Afghan-led peace deal with the Taliban is needed to secure the future of Afghanistan after British troops leave the country.

According to a BCC report, the Defense Select Committee warned that failure to do so could lead to civil war in Afghanistan.

In their statement, the MPs said that the UK had a responsibility to use its influence to make Afghanistan work after 2014---a deadline scheduled for the withdrawal of international soldiers.

Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK would help Afghans to reach a sustainable political settlement.

The MPs' report focused on the planned withdrawal of UK combat troops at the end of 2014 and the transfer of responsibilities to the Afghan security forces.

The committee highlighted significant gaps in the capabilities of the Afghan forces in areas such as helicopters and close air support and medical care.

Committee chairman James Arbuthnot, said: "We have received starkly opposing predictions for Afghanistan's outlook, post 2014. The fact that Afghan security forces are now leading on more than 80 per cent of all security operations across the country shows we are well on the way”

"The fact is that the UK has limited influence. Indeed, it is for the Afghan people themselves to determine their own future.

"However, the UK and its international partners must show the Afghan people that they will abide by their obligations to continue to support them in their efforts."

The MPs said they had received very little information about the involvement of the Ministry of Defense and the UK Foreign Office in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

There are currently 9,000 British service personnel in Afghanistan, reducing to 5,200 by the end of 2013.

The committee called on the government to provide detailed plans and costs for withdrawal to ensure the protection of military personnel.

The UK is dedicated to helping the Afghan government make progress towards a sustainable political settlement and a stable regional environment, and to help the Afghan people build a viable Afghan state.

"We will continue to support governance and development in Afghanistan through the next decade, with £178m per year of development aid agreed until 2017, to ensure that the progress made will not be lost," said the MPs. (Pajhwok)