Supreme Leader: US major hurdle to Afghanistan security

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, June 25, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that continued presence of US forces in Afghanistan prevents restoration of security to the war-torn country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran favors withdrawal of alien forces from Afghanistan, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

According to the website of the Supreme Leader's office, in the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Afghan people who enjoy rich cultural and religious backgrounds are quite able to administer their own affairs and that swift withdrawal of foreign troops from that country would be to the benefit of its people.

Given the courage of the Afghan people in their struggles with occupiers, the Supreme Leader said brave resistance of the Afghan people against former Soviet Union as one of the then superpowers should be considered as an outstanding move.

The Afghan people are dissatisfied with the presence of US troops in their motherland as these troops are the root cause of the mishap and calamity for them and the entire region, underlined the Supreme Leader.

The US domestic and international status in recent years has declined dramatically, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.

The US officials try to make good on their weakness in the region but to no avail, said Ayatollah Khamenei.

Referring to the false promises of the US president about gradual withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, the Supreme Leader said allegations made by US president are aimed at misleading the public opinion in that country but “We are now witnessing that the American people have not welcomed it.”

The Americans seek to set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan which will be very dangerous, warned the Supreme Leader, adding that as long as the US troops remain in Afghanistan, it would be impossible to restore security to that country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to render any assistance for reconstruction of Afghanistan, said the Supreme Leader, adding that Afghan talented youths are able to carry out their grave duties and Iran is ready to put its invaluable experiences at their disposal.

The Afghan president, for his part, thanked for Iran’s assistance to his people and said Afghanistan needs Iran’s scientific know-how for reconstruction of the country.

Referring to the false promises made by the US president on gradual withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, he said the foreign forces are expected to leave the country within three years.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30447472