Afghanistan's neighbours do not want the country to have a strong army, President Hamid Karzai said Saturday, blaming the regional nations for abetting insurgency.
Speaking at the National Military Academy in Kabul, Karzai said that growth in Afghanistan has been undermined by external players who do not want to see it strengthen.
"In our region, they don't want that Afghanistan has a strong army," he said.
In order for the Afghan army to take overall responsibility for security this coming spring, it needs to be strong. But it is beset by constant attacks from insurgents.
Karzai believes that the anti-government forces are being helped by regional nations.
"Their aim is that Afghanistan should have a weak government, Afghanistan should not be owner of a strong army and system, so they misuse our ignorant sons," he said.
Afghanistan faces two key transitions in 2014 – a security and a political transition. Karzai sought to reassure Afghans who are afraid for year ahead with a more optimistic outlook.
"[The year] 2014 will be a new spring for Afghans, like the day when we celebrate a new year," he said.
Minister of Defense Bismillah Mohammadi also addressed the Academy, emphasising the abilities of the Afghan National Security Forces to take over from the US-led forces.
"After 2014 the situation will not get worse. Afghan forces are able to take security responsibility," he said.