Afghan President welcomes new US counter-terrorism strategy

KABUL - 22 August 2017: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of the new US strategy on Afghanistan, saying that the decision unveils an enduring commitment by United States as a key partner of the Afghan government, Tolo News reported.

“I am grateful to President (Donald) Trump and the American people for this affirmation of support for our efforts to achieve self-reliance and for our joint struggle to rid the region from the threat of terrorism,” Ghani said in a statement issued by Presidential Palace hours after Trump’s strategy announcement.

“The new strategy will increase the capacity in the Resolute Support mission,” Ghani said in the statement. “It will particularly emphasis on enhancing the Afghan air power, doubling the size of the Afghan Special Force and deepening NATO’s ability to train, advice and assist Afghan security forces.”

“Following this strategy towards stability allows the region to work together in achieving mutual goals of peace and prosperity, and provide a clear pathway for the regional countries to end support for non-state actors,” Ghani added.

He said US and Afghan partnering is stronger than ever in overcoming the threat of terrorism that threatens all.