PRESIDENT Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai fell into line with Washington today, authorising US forces to remain in his country.

He has allowed some 10,000 US troops to stay in the country after the international combat mission ends on December 31.

The compliant new president claimed that the agreement signalled a fundamental positive shift in Afghanistan’s relations with the world.

“This agreement is only for Afghan security and stability,” said President Ahmadzai. 

“These agreements are in our national interest. The bilateral security agreement will pave the ground for Afghanistan to take control,” he added.

US and Nato leaders welcomed the deal, which was signed by Kabul’s national security adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and US ambassador James Cunningham.

Former president Hamid Karzai had refused to sign it despite US threats of a full withdrawal in the absence of legal protections for its forces.

Another agreement allowing Nato troops to stay in the country was signed during the same ceremony at the presidential palace.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who has assumed a post akin to prime minister after signing a power-sharing agreement with Mr Ahmadzai, also welcomed the deal.

“It has been signed after very careful considerations,” he said, adding that it was “not a threat to our neighbours. It will help strengthen peace and stability in the region.”

Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the agreement outlined its new mission to train, advise and assist Afghan forces.