KABUL, May 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Afghan president Hamid Karzai Sunday took the nation into confidence over the notion of long-term security partnership with the United States, Presidential spokesman Jawed Ludin said.

    "In order to consult the nation over the proposed issue of long-term partnership with the international community particularly with the United States, the president held a consultative meeting with some 1,000 delegates from across the country," he told reporters after the meeting.

    The meeting had been concluded with recommendations to have continued international support but took no decision, he said.

    However, he added that coming parliament would decide on vital national issues.

    Afghanistan's first-ever parliamentary polls are going to be held on Sept. 18.

    President Karzai, who favors long-term security and strategic partnership with the United States according to observers, is going to muster national support vis--vis the controversial issue ahead of his tour to Washington late this month.

    The controversial issue has already stirred heated debate amongthe political and intellectual circles in the country.

    "Afghanistan needs international support especially from the United States in all fields, in the field of economy and politics to stand on its feet," Ludin noted.

    "The participants in the meeting emphasized that Afghanistan bythe time needs the support of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and US-led coalition troops," he added.

    Meanwhile, he said the delegates called upon the coalition troops to coordinate their operation with Afghan army in respectedareas. Over 18,000 US-dominated foreign troops and 8,300 NATO-led ISAF have been stationed across the country to stabilize security in the post-Taliban central Asian state. Enditem