Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Blinken in Kabul: Permanent US Presence ‘Never Intended’

Blinken in Kabul: Permanent US Presence ‘Never Intended’

KABUL - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that he visited Afghanistan because it was important to him and President Joe Biden to convey in person America’s commitment to an enduring partnership with Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
“We never intended to have a permanent military presence here. Threat from Al Qaeda in Afghanistan is significantly degraded,” said Blinken.
The US top diplomat said that despite the American troops returning home from Afghanistan, the US’s partnership with Afghanistan will continue. 
“By our enduing to support to Afghanistan economically, diplomatically, politically—I do want to say that as we proceed, we will remember the extraordinary courage, strength and sacrifices our troops who served in Afghanistan in the past two decades,” added Blinken.
“An now we are embarking on a new chapter in our partnership with the Afghan people,” he said.
Blinken warned the Taliban against attacking the US forces as they are withdrawing from Afghanistan—saying any attack by the Taliban will be met with forceful response.
“We will continue to support Afghan national security forces, but importantly we are doing everything we can now to advance diplomacy to bring in regional and international partners,” Blinken said. (TOLO NEWS)