ISLAMABAD – International troops plan to stay in Afghanistan beyond theMay deadline envisaged by the insurgent Taliban’s deal with the UnitedStates, four senior NATO officials said, a move that could escalatetensions with the Taliban demanding full withdrawal.

“There will be no full withdrawal by allies by April-end,” one of theofficials told Reuters.

“Conditions have not been met,” he said on condition of anonymity becauseof the sensitivity of the matter.

“And with the new U.S. administration, there will be tweaks in the policy,the sense of hasty withdrawal which was prevalent will be addressed and wecould see a much more calculated exit strategy.”