British Prime Minister David Cameron says the Taliban should have no doubt that international forces will be handing security responsibilities to an Afghan force capable of defeating an insurgency.

Mr. Cameron said Thursday at a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul that global partners have committed to securing Afghanistan long beyond the withdrawal of foreign combat forces in 2014.

He said the country would make further progress if the insurgency came to an end through political talks and better collaboration between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but that the transition is not dependent on those elements.

Mr. Karzai said the peace process is his country's highest priority.

The two leaders are also holding talks Thursday with Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Britain has some 9,500 troops stationed in Afghanistan.