Abdullah slams Biden’s remarks on Afghanistan

KABUL’s reconciliation leader says the survival of his war-devastated country is dependent on unity.

In an interview with an Iranian news agency, the High Council for National Reconciliation chairman hit out at US presidential hopeful Joe Biden’s recent remarks.

Biden said earlier in the week that unity in Afghanistan was an uphill task and that it should be disintegrated.

But Dr. Abdullah told Fars News Agency: “Afghanistan is united and will remain so. Its survival depends on unity and it enjoys national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“The Afghan people believe that sustainable and honorable peace for all Afghan people is one which preserves the rights of all Afghans and the Islamic Republic of Iran supports this peace,” he said.

About the US military withdrawal, Abdullah said: “At present, a number of American forces are leaving Afghanistan. This will continue. Their number will decrease by the yearend but some of them will stay beyond 2020.”

Abdullah, who arrived in Tehran on Sunday on a three-day visit, has met President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and other officials.

PAN Monitor/mud