US 'could pull all troops from Afghanistan'

The US has signalled it might not leave any troops in Afghanistan after its pull out, in spite of the Pentagon claiming thousands may be needed to contain al-Qaida.

The issues will be central to talks this week as Afghan president Hamid Karzai meets Barack Obama and defence secretary Leon Panetta to discuss ways of framing an enduring partnership beyond December 2014 when combat troops are scheduled to be withdrawn.