Afghan president tells his people hard year ahead

Afghanistan's president has warned his people that the coming year will be difficult as U.S.-led forces slowly start handing over responsibility for the country's security to Afghan troops.

Hamid Karzai has also renewed a call for the closure of foreign military bases that run reconstruction and development programs, and the private security companies that protect many construction projects funded by international donors.

Karzai spoke on Tuesday at an event marking International Women's Day.

He has repeatedly criticized the so-called provincial reconstruction teams — or PRTs — for undermining the central government by offering alternative sources of funding and public works. He has likened the private security companies to private militias.