Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai will announce Wednesday which areas of the country will be part of the second wave of transition from NATO to Afghan security control.

In a statement late Tuesday, Karzai said he would make the long-awaited announcement at a loya jirga or traditional meeting of elders which will discuss issues including long-term relations with the US and peace talks.

"The second round of security transition will be announced during the traditional loya jirga tomorrow," Karzai said in a statement giving details of a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Afghan officials have already said that 17 places are likely to be involved in the second wave of transition -- seven entire provinces and 10 others where some districts will be handed to local control.

Afghan forces are due to take full control of security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when all foreign combat forces are due to leave.

The transition process began in July, and Afghan police and troops have already taken charge of seven areas.

Last month, Afghanistan's local governance directorate said that up to 17 places would be part of the latest phase of transfer and that Karzai would make a formal announcement at a regional conference in Istanbul earlier this month.

However, Karzai made no announcement in Istanbul.

The directorate also said that all or part of troubled provinces including Helmand in the south and Wardak in central Afghanistan were likely to be named in the second wave of transition.