US should stop interfering in Afghanistan: Stanekzai

KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy foreign minister says Afghans were not tired of war and they were able to fight for another four decades in defending their country.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the deputy foreign minister, made the remarks at a large gathering of Shia clerics in Kabul on Sunday.

He said that ongoing humanitarian aid could not cure Afghanistan’s pain and that Afghans should rebuild their country on their own.

The United States should stop interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and no one should think that Afghans are tired of war to defend themselves, they have the ability to defend their country and fight for another four decades if needed, he said.

Stanekzai said that it is important for Afghanistan’s economy to be connected with the world.

The international community has put economic pressure on Afghanistan to comply with its own demands, he said.

However, he called on the international community and neighboring countries to cooperate economically with Afghanistan and increase their assistance for economic stability of the war-torn country.

There is a mistrust between Afghanistan and the world that needs to be addressed.

After the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, now Afghans are independent and they decide by their own, Stanekzai said.

Efforts for reforms to strengthen the system is underway and qualified individuals are employed every day, he said.

Anas Haqqani, a member of the Islamic Emirate’s political bureau, said at the meeting that they had gained legitimacy at home, but added that the world did not want Afghanistan to stand by its own and had imposed restrictions on the country.

Talking to the meeting, he said that people preset in the event were the real representatives of their ethnic group as they supported the government and also shared their problems with officials.

mds