Afghanistan ready for partial US troop pullout

KABUL.

Ghani had a second consultative meeting with military officials and commanders on a potential peace on Monday evening, the Presidential Palace said.

Ghani told defence and security leaders: “The nation is proud of you. You are defenders of the constitution because you support national unity and Afghanistan’s sovereignty.”

He added NATO countries, as indeed the international community, were committed to support Afghan security forces as their main partners.

About a possible US troops withdrawal, Ghani said that drawdown of around 4,000 troops would not affect the situation in Afghanistan.

“Our stance on ending the war has provided an opportunity for the Taliban to agree to violence reduction. Now there is an opportunity for negotiations and an end to the war in the country.

“I’m using this opportunity to end the conflict but it is up to the Taliban whether they are ready to seize the opportunity or not,” the president concluded.

sa/mud