F.P. Report
WASHINGTON DC: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday, to reiterate the strong and enduring U.S. commitment to Afghanistan.
The Secretary and President Ghani emphasized the need to accelerate peace negotiations and achieve a political settlement that is inclusive, respects the rights of all Afghans, including women and minorities, allows the Afghan people to have a say in choosing their leaders, and prevents Afghan soil from being used to threaten the US and its allies and partners.
Both leaders condemned the ongoing Taliban atta-cks, which show little reg-ard for human life and hu-man rights, and deplored t-he loss of innocent Afghan lives and displacement of t-he civilian population. Bli-nken and President Ghani pledged to remain in close contact going forward.
