US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has confirmed that the Obama administration will leave about 1000 more occupation troops in Afghanistan than planned originally after the end of the year

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has confirmed that the Obama administration will leave about 1000 more occupation troops in Afghanistan than planned originally after the end of the year.

Hagel, in his last visit to Afghanistan before stepping down as Pentagon chief, said on Saturday that President Barack Obama's decision to give the military some flexibility was taken with a view to cope with "any temporary force shortfall" arising from Nato nations' difficulties in delivering troops on time, reported The Washington Times.

Earlier, a plan announced in May had said that the number of American troops in Afghanistan was supposed to be reduced to 9,800 by Jan. 1, 2015. However, a total of 10,800 troops will now remain in the nation through the end of this year and for the first few months in 2015, Hagel said.

He added that the shift in troop numbers and the White House's decision to expand some authorities for the remaining U.S. forces will not alter Obama's framework for ending the role of the US in the 13-year-long Afghan war.