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Hagel optimistic on Afghan commando agreement

Topics: From the Wires,

Hagel optimistic on Afghan commando agreementU.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrives at Jalalabad Airfield in eastern Afghanistan, Saturday, March 9, 2013, escorted by U.S. Army Col. Joseph McGee, left, commander of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne. It is Hagel's first official trip since being sworn-in as President Barack Obama's defense secretary. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool) (Credit: AP)

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says he believes U.S. officials will be able to work things out with Afghan leaders who have ordered special operations forces out of Wardak province, even though the deadline for their removal is Monday.

Hagel is expected to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Karzai ordered the U.S. forces to leave the province because of allegations that Afghans working with the commandos were involved in abusive behavior and torture.

NATO’s deputy chief of staff of operations, Brigadier Adam Findlay, says NATO officials have made provisional plans to withdraw the special operations forces if Karzai sticks to his edict. The issue is to be discussed during meetings this weekend between Karzai, Hagel and the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Joseph Dunford.

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