There has to be political settlement in Afghanistan: Blinken

KABUL (Pajhwok): American forces will withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with their NATO allies, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

While going through a review of the US-Taliban peace pact, including the May 1st deadline, he said it was important for the US to listen and hear from partners,

In an interview on Sunday, Blinken said both the US and allies have been clear that they had gone in together and would exit Afghanistan together when the time is right

Ultimately, everyone acknowledged there was no military solution to the war in Afghanistan, he told CNN. There had to be some kind of political settlement reached by the Afghans themselves, he said.

The secretary of state added the US had accelerated diplomatic efforts in sharing some ideas with the Afghan government and the Taliban about bringing them together.

He said Ankara would host a conference on the Afghan peace process next month, with the UN playing a more prominent role in bringing together the Afghan parties, their neighbors and other countries with influence in Afghanistan.

Two weeks from the May 1 troop withdrawal deadline, Washington is still reviewing last year’s peace deal with the Taliban.

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