Turkish, US defence chiefs discuss Kabul airport

KABUL (Pajhwok): Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin have discussed Kabul airport operation and security.

Akar and Austin had a “constructive and positive meeting” to discuss a plan for Turkey to operate and guard the Kabul airport after NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Turkish Defence Ministry said.

Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO’s withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies on financial, political and logistical support.

Security of the airport is the key to operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international troops.

The Pentagon said in a statement Austin and Akar discussed the drawdown of the US forces from Afghanistan and both reasserted the importance of adequate security at the airport.

It said the two sides agreed to speak again in the near future on the issue. The talks would continue on Thursday, the statement added.

sa/mud