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Afghanistan war cannot be won: German government

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Nov 18, IRNA -- The West cannot win the war in Afghanistan, Germany's special envoy on Afghanistan, Michael Steiner said ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal, on Thursday.

Talking to the Berlin-based daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Steiner stressed, 'Everyone knows there can be no military solution in Afghanistan.'

He added although the West had in the past 'succumbed to the illusion' that it could win the war, it was now pursuing a 'realistic goal of creating sufficient stability' in Afghanistan.

Steiner reiterated the need for an 'inner-Afghan solution' aimed at reconciling the rival parties.

The comments come ahead of a NATO summit in Lisbon where the alliance's controversial Afghan military operation will be on the agenda.

NATO heads of state are to set strategic goals for the mission at the summit which begins on Friday.