HERAT CITY - President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Monday made it clear his government would not hold talks with Taliban under duress or from a position of weakness.During his visit to western Herat province, Ghani expressed these views in his meeting with officials of the Zafar Military Corps in Shindand district on Monday.

War in Afghanistan was a foreign war and was imposed on Afghans, he added. “The enemies of Afghanistan do not want the country to stand on its own feet. Enemy wants us weak but we are negotiating from a position of strength,” Ghani added.

The president praised achievements of Afghan security forces during their operations.

Heading a high -level delegation, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani met with residents and evaluate overall governance in the province, an official said.

Ehsanullah Hayat, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the president held detailed meeting with officials of Zafar Military Corps this morning.

Ghani, he said would also meet with a 16-member delegation of tribal elders from Shindand district to hear their problems and grievances.

Ghani is accompanied by Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Mines Minister Daud Shah Saba, Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) head Ghulam Jailani Popal and some other officials.

The president is scheduled to meet other officials and businessmen of the province. A day earlier, Hayat said president would give Shindand district the state of a province.

Compensation to martyred soldiers and financial support for wounded soldiers would be doubled, he pledged. The Afghan Air Force would get special attention to be improved, he said, adding the Zafar Military Corps would be equipped with all needed facility in next two weeks. (Pajhwok)