US Secretary of Defense Gates listens as Afghanistan's President Karzai speaks at a news conference in Kabu
US Secretary of Defense Gates listens as Afghanistan's President Karzai speaks at a news conference in Kabu Reuters

The President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai plans to step down in 2014 as required by the country’s constitution, according to testimony delivered by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to a Senate panel on Wednesday.

The Afghan constitution restricts a president to two terms in office, however speculation has flourished that Karzai might seek to amend the rules in order to extend his term in office.

However, Gates noted that Karzai has retreated from that position.

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