World leaders agree on Afghan timetable and funding

World leaders meeting in London on Thursday agreed to start handing over security duties to Afghan forces in early 2011 and finish the process within five years, while also pledging funds to persuade Taliban groups to renounce violence.

The London conference was a "decisive step towards greater Afghan leadership to secure, stabilise and develop Afghanistan," leaders from 70 countries participating in the event said in their final communique.

The conference was called to help Nato ...