VOA News
Afghanistan's lower house of parliament has approved agreements with the United States and NATO allowing international forces to remain in the country past the end of this year, amid a renewed offensive by Taliban militants.
Sunday's approval came after U.S. officials said President Barack Obama had issued new guidelines expanding the U.S. military's ability to respond to militants.
Speaking under condition of anonymity, officials told news outlets the decision allows U.S. troops to go after Taliban fighters if they pose a threat to U.S. and coalition forces. The order reportedly also applies if the militants provide direct support to al-Qaida.
The new authorization for 2015 also means the U.S. can offer air support to Afghan troops when needed.
President Obama had previously said U.S. missions in Afghanistan next year would be limited to training Afghan forces and counter-terrorism operations against al-Qaida.
阿富汗议会下院星期天在塔利班激进分子不断发动进攻之际批准与美国和北约的协议，允许国际部队今年年底以后继续驻扎在阿富汗境内。
在此之前，美国官员说，奥巴马总统发布了有关扩大美军对激进分子反应能力的新准则。这位不愿透露姓名的官员说，新准则准许美军在激进分子对美国和联军部队构成威胁时予以打击。
这也适用于向基地组织提供支持的激进分子。 2015年开始实施的新授权还意味着美国可以向阿富汗军队提供必要的空中支持。
奥巴马总统曾表示，美国明年在阿富汗的任务只限于训练阿富汗军队和对基地组织展开反恐怖行动。
