Britain and the US have renewed pledges to support Afghanistan after foreign combat troops withdraw from the country.<br /><br /> Both Western nations highlighted the need to stamp out corruption and there was praise for the new unity government’s efforts.<br /><br /> British Prime Minister David Cameron said businesses would only invest if Afghanistan could build strong, accountable institutions.<br /><br /> At a conference in London, which was not about generating aid, the Afghan president was grateful for the help offered in continuing the fight against the Taliban.<br /><br /> “This transition from combat to non-combat is welcome, the assurance that training, advice and assist will continue is a vote of confidence and again thank you for your financial commitments to both your security and ours,” President Ashraf Ghani said.<br /><br /> Ghani signed a bilateral security agreement with the US after taking office, something his predecessor Hamid Karzai had refused to do.<br /><br /> A reduced American force several thousand strong is due to remain in Afghanistan early next year as part of a NATO-led training and adviser mission.
