President Trump touts progress in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): President Donald Trump on Tuesday told war veterans the US was making progress in Afghanistan after the removal of unnecessary restraints on soldiers.

“We've removed unnecessary restraints on our war fighters in Afghanistan. Those who risk their life and limb for our country deserve rules of engagement that give them the best opportunity to finally defeat the enemy,” Trump said.

In his address to Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US National Convention in Kansas City, the president said for the first time in years, the US was making a lot of progress in Afghanistan.

Senior American diplomat Alice Wells returned from Doha after holding talks with the Qatar government on Afghanistan.  “Qatar has been an important and valuable partner in that,” State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters.

At her daily news conference, she acknowledged Qatar had helped with training and equipping, supplies and other things needed by coalition partners in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson refused to respond to a question on the return of Vice-President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum to Afghanistan, calling it an internal matter of the Afghan government.

“We’re certainly aware of the reports,” said Nauert, who also expressed condolences on the death of people in the latest terrorist attack in Afghanistan.

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