- By Jennifer Prill
- (General Dispatch) – White House Secretary Antony Blinken issued a statement saying that the US will maintain support for the Afghan nation despite the troops being withdrawn.
- He made the announcement from Kabul, the US is scheduled to withdraw 2500 troops on September 11, 2021, a date that was extended after President Trump had announced it would be done earlier.
- “The United States will continue its diplomatic and humanitarian support to Afghanistan and its security and defense forces, and will continue its efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process,” Blinken said.
- Blinken said that relations will be maintained and planning will continue so that the Afghan people feel secure, and no threat can affect the nation again.
- On the other hand Blinken held a long conversation for a couple of hours with the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah.
- The secretary said that now onwards will be a new stage for both countries, new challenges that will be overcome, thanks to the bilateral relationship that has been maintained for several years.
- “This does not mean the end of relations and cooperation between the two countries. A new chapter of relations and cooperation between the two countries has returned and we will continue our cooperation in various fields in this chapter,” Abdullah said.
- Afghanistan’s current President Ghani said he will maintain communication with the US apart from working together with NATO, and try to reach an agreement with the Taliban, to avoid further bloodshed.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: Antony Blinken to Afghan President: U.S. Will Stay Even When Troops Leave
France24: Blinken vows ‘enduring’ US support for Afghanistan in surprise Kabul visit
