NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has asserted that international commitment for Afghanistan will continue till the country is free of terrorism. He also stressed that transition of security to Afghan forces will begin next year. Addressing a press conference with Afghan President during his visit to the country on Tuesday, the NATO head sought to quell fears among Afghans that the western alliance will leave them too soon as they did in the past. Mr. Rasmussen said their countries are paying heavy price fighting in Afghanistan but the price for leaving will be much higher. He said that coming 2010 will see new momentum with arrival of thousands of extra forces adding that it will improve security in the short term. The NATO chief said that their focus will be focused on securing population centers, roads, development projects and training of Afghan security forces. The NATO official said there will be increased investment on transfer of security responsibilities to Afghan forces but added that the transition will be based on conditions and not calendar. US President Mr. Barrack Obama, while announcing for extra troops earlier this month, also called for withdrawal of troops from July 2011. Afghan President Mr. Hamid Karzai replying to a question reiterated his call for militant groups to come forward for peace talks saying a grand assembly of tribal elders will be convened next year in this regard.