KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday said his administration was holding "precise negotiations" with the US over a bilateral security agreement, keeping in mind Afghanistan's interests and sovereignty.

Karzai, who travelled to Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, met with tribal elders and religious scholars and briefed them on the proposed agreement and the peace process initiated by his administration, a statement issued from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said.

It quoted Karzai as saying that "precise talks" were in place with the US on finalizing the agreement.

Tribal elders who met Karzai insisted on intensified efforts at national reconciliation, according to the statement that quoted tribal elders as asking the government to enter the bilateral security agreement with the US only when all factors contributing to the conflict were identified and resolved.

Mohammad Anwar Khan, who spoke on behalf of tribal elders, said Helmand should be promoted to grade A province. He called for strengthening national police in Helmand and initiating work on the hydropower plant in Kajaki. (Pajhwok)