September 16, 2021
1 min read

‘Ghani ruined deal with Taliban’

“Even at the end we had an agreement with the Talibs for not to enter Kabul,” said Zalmay Khalilzad…reports Asian Lite News

The US negotiator on Afghanistan has said that former President Ashraf Ghani’s abrupt exit scuttled a deal for the Taliban to hold off entering Kabul and negotiate a political transition, The Guardian reported.

In his first interview since the collapse of the 20-year western-backed government, Zalmay Khalilzad, who brokered a 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw US troops, told the Financial Times that the insurgents had agreed to stay outside the capital for two weeks and shape a future government.

“Even at the end we had an agreement with the Talibs for (them) not to enter Kabul,” he said.

U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad during the talks in Doha

But Ghani fled on August 15 and the Taliban, in a previously arranged meeting that day with US Gen Frank McKenzie, chief of central command, asked if US troops would ensure security for Kabul as government authority crumbled, the report added.

“And then you know what happened, we weren’t going to take responsibility,” Khalilzad said.

President Joe Biden had insisted that US troops would only work to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies, and not extend Washington’s longest war.

Asked about Khalilzad’s remarks, state department spokesman Ned Price said it was not an option to stay “a moment longer” in Kabul.

ALSO READ: Pakistan, China making efforts for recognition of Taliban govt

ALSO READ: Afghans stage 2nd protest against Pakistan in Delhi

Previous Story

Imran comes down heavily on US

Next Story

PM speaks to Morrison, reviews bilateral relations between two countries

Latest from -Top News

Zero Tariffs? Trump Claims Big Win Over India

Trump Claims India to Eliminate Tariffs on U.S. Imports..reports Asian Lite News U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that India has either already removed or is in the process of removing

UNSC Grills Pakistan Over Pahalgam Attack

Though Pakistan claimed that the meeting largely served and achieved the objectives of the UNSC’s meeting, reports showed that it flopped miserably…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reportedly

Pakistan’s Terror Link “No Secret”: Bilawal Bhutto

Zardari stated that Pakistan’s intelligence services have since changed course and no longer collaborate with extremist elements..reports Asian Lite News Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, has openly acknowledged Pakistan’s

Islamists Rise Under Yunus Rule

After the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Islamic parties in Bangladesh, crushed for years by the Awami League government, have made inroads into the political arena…writes Baidya
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Hazaras Face Uncertain Future Under Taliban

The Hazara community had been a target for not only

Taliban deny interference in Kazakhstan unrest

“While we want a reasonable and peaceful solution to the