President Obama signed an agreement with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday afternoon establishing a post-war role for the United States.
He declared it "a historic moment for our two nations."
The president said that neither Americans nor the Afghan people asked for this war, "yet for a decade we've stood together."
"I'm here to affirm the bond between our two countries and to thank Americans and Afghans who have sacrificed so much over these last 10 years," he said.
"Today with the signing of the strategic partnership agreement we look forward to a future of peace," Obama continued. "Today we're agreeing to be long-term partners."
Still Obama acknowledged, "There will be difficult days ahead."
Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan and will give an address to the nation from Bagram Airfield Tuesday night.
