ID :
176595
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 22:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/176595
The shortlink copeid
Iran Underlines Support for Stronger Afghan Gov't
TEHRAN, April 19 (FNA)- A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official on Monday stressed Afghans' capability to restore security to the war-torn country, and reiterated Tehran's support for a strong central government in Kabul.
Speaking at a meeting with Afghanistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Javed Lodin here in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Oceanic Affairs Mohammad Ali Fathollahi described President Hamid Karzai's government as "popular" and "stable".
Meantime, Fathollahi stressed the necessity for further assistance to the Afghan government, and stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that this government should be strengthened in a bid to overcome the existing problems."
The Iranian official further stressed Afghans' ability to protect security of their country, and noted, "The countries which have come to Afghanistan from afar are not after safeguarding the interests of the regional nations."
During the meeting, Lodin said achieving self-sufficiency and administration of the country's affairs by the Afghan people sets a top priority for the Kabul government.
"Afghans are sensitive to the permanent presence of foreign countries in Afghanistan and the government will not do anything but what is demanded by the Afghan people," Lodin concluded.
In February, Afghan President Hamid Karzai confirmed that the Obama Administration has been in secret talks with him to formalize a system of permanent military bases across the war-torn country.
Also during a visit to Kabul early in March, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates claimed that both the US and Afghan governments agree the American military should remain involved in Afghanistan after the planned 2014 end of combat operations to help train and advise Afghan forces.
Afghan people as well as the regional states have shown strong reaction to the extension of the US military mission in Afghanistan, and urged the Kabul government to put an end to the US military presence in the country.
Speaking at a meeting with Afghanistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Javed Lodin here in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Oceanic Affairs Mohammad Ali Fathollahi described President Hamid Karzai's government as "popular" and "stable".
Meantime, Fathollahi stressed the necessity for further assistance to the Afghan government, and stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that this government should be strengthened in a bid to overcome the existing problems."
The Iranian official further stressed Afghans' ability to protect security of their country, and noted, "The countries which have come to Afghanistan from afar are not after safeguarding the interests of the regional nations."
During the meeting, Lodin said achieving self-sufficiency and administration of the country's affairs by the Afghan people sets a top priority for the Kabul government.
"Afghans are sensitive to the permanent presence of foreign countries in Afghanistan and the government will not do anything but what is demanded by the Afghan people," Lodin concluded.
In February, Afghan President Hamid Karzai confirmed that the Obama Administration has been in secret talks with him to formalize a system of permanent military bases across the war-torn country.
Also during a visit to Kabul early in March, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates claimed that both the US and Afghan governments agree the American military should remain involved in Afghanistan after the planned 2014 end of combat operations to help train and advise Afghan forces.
Afghan people as well as the regional states have shown strong reaction to the extension of the US military mission in Afghanistan, and urged the Kabul government to put an end to the US military presence in the country.
