Ellington

BRUSSELS (AP) — The secretary general of NATO says he won't set a deadline for the Afghan government to commit to a security agreement that lets troops remain there when the combat mission ends in 2014.

But Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters Tuesday a decision must be made soon to let allies plan either for a continuing training mission in Afghanistan — or a full withdrawal of foreign forces after 13 years of war.

The U.S. is demanding that Afghan President Hamid Karzai agree to the pact by the end of the year. Karzai has so far balked at a legal agreement and wants his successor to make that decision next year.

Rasmussen said a "zero option" of no troops in Afghanistan is not among NATO plans but called it a potential "unfortunate outcome."