TORONTO (AP):

Canada's leader said yesterday the country's troops will leave southern Afghanistan in 2011, a departure from the government's previous position that it would review the mission then.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled a new motion aimed at reaching a compromise with the opposition Liberals, who have said they would agree to extend the mission, but on the condition that it end in 2011.

Harper's minority government is under pressure to withdraw Canada's troops after the deaths of 78 soldiers and a diplomat. The mission is set to expire in February 2009 unless lawmakers extend it.