Rebuilding Afghanistan not US responsibility: President Biden

KABUL (Pajhwok): US President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Afghan leaders to come together to drive Afghanistan towards the future Afghan people want and deserve making it clear that rebuilding Afghanistan was not US responsibility.

President Biden also announced that US military mission will continue till the end of August, American’s objectives to prevent a base against American interests and ridding bin Laden from his safe haven was accomplished.

The televised address, with a group of reporters in the East Room, came just hours after his security team briefed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, the U.S. military announced the withdrawal process was more than 90% complete. Officials have said the entire process is expected to finish by late August. NATO troops also are following suit, and most of them have left the country.

The US president said with partners to secure the airport, Blinken and Khalilzad are working with regional partners and the international community to pursue a peaceful settlement.

The US president also pledged to provide continue funding and equipment, capacity to maintain an air force.

Biden also said that efforts are being made to get translators, interpreters and other Afghans that worked with the US government out of the country. He said 2,500 special immigrant visas have been issued to allow them to come to the United States, but only half have come so far.

No US and coalition forces and personnel have been attacked in Afghanistan during the withdrawal terming the US-Taliban agreement as key to prevent any attacks against Western forces and personnel

The US president said that US will pursue counter-terrorism efforts in South Asia and Africa o Intelligence sources are confident that Afghan forces will curb international terrorism with the support of the over-the-horizon capabilities.

US focus is on Chinese competition, curbing the spread of covid-19, fighting existential threats of climate change, he said.

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