Australia PM Julia Gillard sets out Afghan exit plan

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australia will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan earlier than planned.

Ms Gillard made the announcement in a speech in Canberra, and ahead of a key Nato conference on Afghanistan in Chicago next month.

She said troops would begin pulling out this year and most would be home by the end of 2013 - an election year in Australia.

Most international troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.