Raisi: Neighbours can help stabilise Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Iranian president believes regional countries can play a key role in bringing peace and security to Afghanistan.

At a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Tehran on Tuesday, Ebrahim Raisi hoped for the formation of a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

IRNA quoted him as expressing Iran’s grave concern at the plight of the Afghan people. He underlined the importance of cooperation with Pakistan that played an effective role in achieving security in the war-torn country.

Raisi held the US responsible for insecurity in Afghanistan — triggered by the presence of ISIS after America’s pullout. He accused the US of creating the terrorist outfit.

Raisi met Qureshi on the eve of a meeting of foreign ministers from the countries neighbouring Afghanistan. Tehran is hosting the event.

The Iranian leader hoped the meeting would help reduce America’s influence in the region and find a solution to Afghanistan’s problems.

For his part, Qureshi said Iran and Pakistan were keen on working for national peace and reconciliation.

“Afghanistan needs urgent assistance from its neighbours and the international community at large,” the visiting foreign minister added.

Foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan are attending the meeting while their counterparts from China and Russia are set to join virtually.

PAN Monitor/mud