Washington, Nov 17 : Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has said Kabul would not allow long-term US bases unless American troops stop conducting the controversial night time raids.

Karzai said he would be ready to accept US military bases in Afghanistan provided his conditions are met, and as long as the bases are not used against neighboring countries such as Iran.

"America is wealthier, more powerful and bigger than us, but we are a lion, even if an old and weak one," the Washington Post quoted Karzai, as saying.

"The lion never lets a stranger enter its home, the lion doesn''t allow anyone to take his children away. The lion is the king and doesn''t permit anyone else to rule in his country," he added.

According to the paper, the US Embassy in Kabul said in a statement after Karzai's speech that Washington has "always supported Afghan sovereignty."

Coalition officials say raids and house searches, often conducted with Afghan commandos, are necessary as long as the Taliban and the allied Haqqani network remain resilient.

"Why would you give up such successful operations when this spring and summer the Taliban, al Qaeda and Haqqani have taken such a pounding?" a senior coalition official said. (ANI)