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Mr Karzai attacked the 12-year Western war effort in Afghanistan Photo: AP
As the end of his time in office approaches, the Afghan president has said Nato has brought much death and misery to his country, but little security.
Hamid Karzai has lashed at Britain and the US for causing "a lot of loss of life" without bringing security in a sign of the deteriorating relationship between the Afghan president and the West.
Six months before he steps down from office and a year before international forces end their combat mission, Mr Karzai gave a blistering interview attacking the 12-year Western war effort.
"On the security front the entire Nato exercise was one that caused Afghanistan a lot of suffering, a lot of loss of life, and no gains because the country is not secure," Mr Karzai told the BBC.
He also insisted that the rights of Afghan women would not be rolled back by an eventual peace deal with the Taliban, which could see the militant group given roles within government.
Mr Karzai has headed the Afghan government since 2001 and in his final six months in office has stepped up his criticism of Nato operations.
He said Western troops had focused on securing Afghan villages, often causing civilian casualties, rather than trying to flush out Taliban bases in neighbouring Pakistan.
"I am not happy to say that there is partial security. That's not what we are seeking. What we wanted was absolute security and a clear-cut war against terrorism," he said.
His harsh word will cause frustration in Washington and London at the end of a war that has cost the lives of more than 2,200 US and 440 British troops.
President Barack Obama said over the weekend that the Western combat role would cease by the end of 2014 "no matter what".
It remains unclear whether the US and Afghanistan can reach an agreement on a residual Nato force for training and counter-terrorism.
Mr Karzai refused to rule out the idea that no deal will be reached and Western troops may withdraw entirely, leaving the Afghan security forces to face the Taliban alone.
"The agreement has to suit Afghanistan's interests and purposes," Mr Karzai said. "If it doesn't suit us and if it doesn't suit them then naturally we will go separate ways."
Mr Karzai said his priority for his remaining days in office was to forge a peace agreement with the Taliban and said the insurgents could eventually take up roles within the government.
"They are Afghans. Where the Afghan president, the Afghan government can appoint the Taliban to a government job they are welcome," he said.
Human rights activists and Western diplomats have voiced fears that the Taliban, who forced women to wear burqas at all times and limited their access to education, would roll back gains in women's rights.
Mr Karzai insisted that was not the case.
"The return of the Taliban will not undermine progress. This country needs to have peace. I am willing to stand for anything that will bring peace to Afghanistan and through that to promote the cause of the Afghan women better," he said.
"I have no doubt that there will be more Afghan young girls and women studying and getting higher education and better job opportunities. There is no doubt about that; even if the Taliban come that will not end, that will not slow down."