Afghan President Hamid Karzai addresses the Afghan loya Jirga, a meeting of around 2,500 Afghan tribal elders and leaders, on the first day of the four-day long loya jirga in Kabul on November 21, 2013. Afghan President Hamid Karzai backed a proposed security pact with the United States that will see up to 15,000 foreign troops remain in Afghanistan as a chance to bring stability to the wartorn country. A grand assembly of tribal chieftains, community elders and politicians began four days of debating the bilateral security agreement (BSA), which will shape Washington’s future military presence in Afghanistan. AFP PHOTO/Massoud HOSSAINI