UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Afghanistan’s U.N. ambassador said Monday he is “certain” the government will soon sign an agreement with the United States that would allow some U.S. troops to remain behind after the final withdrawal of American soldiers at the end of the year.

Zahir Tanin’s statement to the U.N. Security Council on Monday was sharply at odds with Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s final address to parliament on Saturday ahead of April 5 presidential elections.