Afghan officials say they are ready to handle security in the country once U.S. troops begin withdrawing in July.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced late Wednesday that 10,000 troops will be pulled out by the end of the year, with 23,000 more leaving Afghanistan by September of 2012.

In Kabul, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told reporters earlier in the day that Afghanistan welcomes and supports the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country.

Azimi says Afghan forces have gained the capacity to fill the gap after some international forces leave.

Afghan forces are due to take security control of seven areas in Afghanistan beginning next month.

All foreign combat troops are expected to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and transfer security control to local forces by the end of 2014.

In the meantime, the Afghan government has been pursuing peace negotiations with the Taliban insurgency to end the 10-year war.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed the reconciliation process during talks Wednesday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other officials in Kabul.

Hague said “contacts” between the members of the Taliban and U.S. officials have taken place and that Britain will assist in the process however it can.

The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also took part in Wednesday's meeting.

Both Hague and Al Nahyan visited the southern province of Helmand during their visit to Afghanistan.