British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered to host an international conference on Afghanistan in London, which he said could set a timeframe for a handover of security to Afghan forces from 2010.
In a speech yesterday evening, Mr Brown stressed that such a handover from international forces was a requirement for the withdrawal of Britain's 9,000 troops deployed to the country.
'I have offered London as a venue in the new year,' Mr Brown said in his annual speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet.
A pre-released version of the speech quoted him as offering to host a conference in January.
'I want that conference to chart a comprehensive political framework within which the military strategy can be accomplished.
'It should identify a process for transferring district-by-district to full Afghan control and if at all possible set a timetable for transfer starting in 2010.'
The Afghan mission is growing increasingly unpopular in some of the 42 countries that make up the 100,000-strong foreign contingent there, including 65,000 from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Western leaders have insisted Afghan President Hamid Karzai tackle corruption as a condition for support in his second term, which begins Thursday.
Mr Brown is facing mounting pressure over his country's involvement in the war as British casualties mount.
Five soldiers were shot dead earlier this month by a 'rogue' Afghan policeman they were helping to train - marking a low point of Britain's involvement in the eight-year conflict.
Mr Brown said handing over power to the Afghan army and police was a key element of bringing British troops home.
