The US has welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's announcement that his forces will soon take charge of security in seven areas around the nation. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the US looks forward to troop reductions starting in July and continuing based on conditions on the ground, with the transition to be completed by the end of 2014. She said that Afghans themselves must take responsibility for their own future which includes providing security, strengthening governance and reaching a political solution to the conflict. She said transition is an essential pillar of the US, NATO, and international community's long-term commitment to Afghanistan. Under the transition plan announced by Karzai, Afghanistan would be in charge of security for all of Kabul province, except for Sarubi district, the provinces of Panjsher and Bamyan, Herat city, Lashkargah, Mehtarlam, and Mazar-i-Sharif.