UK's Cameron Wants Afghan Pullout Within Five Years

British Prime Minister David Cameron (right) with other G8 leaders in Huntsville on June 25.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he would like to see UK troops pull out of Afghanistan within five years.

Cameron, asked by reporters on the sidelines of a G8 summit in Canada if the troops would be home by the time of the next parliamentary election due by 2015, said, "I want that to happen, make no mistake about it."

Cameron's statement came a day after Australia's new prime minister said she asssured U.S. President Barack Obama about the country's military commitment to Afghanistan.

Some observers have speculated Prime Minister Julia Gillard may push for an early withdrawal of Australia's 1,550 troops from Afghanistan as the war loses popularity among Australians and elections loom.

compiled from agency reports