Afghan mission ends in 2011, Harper tells ABC

Canada won't extend its combat mission in Afghanistan beyond 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told U.S. television viewers Monday.

In an interview with ABC News, Harper was pressed on the issue of Canada leaving Afghanistan. But he repeated that the long-term plan for Afghanistan is for the country to be able to take care of itself.

He said NATO has to take a long-term view about the war-ravaged country that takes into account the goal of Afghanistan being able to provide its own security.

The interview was aired after Harper wrapped up the summit in Guadalajara, Mexico, with Mexican President Felipe Calderone and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Harper's comment comes just days after NATO's new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said Canada should stay in Afghanistan.

Since 2002, 127 Canadian soldiers have been killed serving in the Afghanistan mission. One diplomat and two aid workers have also been killed.

Canada is expected to end its military mission there in 18 months.