DAVID Cameron has confirmed Britain will stick to Nato plans to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.Speaking after talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Prime Minister confirmed there would be chances for all countries to reduce troop numbers over the next two years.

He said: "Between now and 2014 there will be opportunities for different countries to reduce their troop numbers. Britain has reduced our troop numbers over the last year. I don't want to see some sort of cliff edge in 2014 when all of the remaining troops come out at once.

"Clearly the rate at which we can reduce our troops will depend on the transition to Afghan control in the different parts of Afghanistan and that should be the same for all of the members of Nato who are contributing and helping to a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan."

His comments came as President Karzai thanked the British people for sacrificing "blood and treasure" for the future of his country.

He said: "May I convey the gratitude of the Afghan people for all that Britain has offered Afghanistan, for having been ready to sacrifice, and for having been ready to share Britain's hard-earned taxpayers' money with Afghanistan for the betterment of the Afghan life, and for a better, more secure - world."