Biden to meet Afghanistan' s Ghani, Nat' l Reconciliation chief

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA))

WASHINGTON, June 20 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden will meet at the White House on Friday Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the White House announced Sunday.White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement that the visit will highlight "the enduring partnership between the United States and Afghanistan as the military drawdown continues."

She affirmed that the US "will remain deeply engaged with the Government of Afghanistan to ensure the country never again becomes a safe haven for terrorist groups who pose a threat to the US homeland."

"The United States continues to fully support the ongoing peace process and encourages all Afghan parties to participate meaningfully in negotiations to bring an end to the conflict," she added.She stressed that the US "is committed to supporting the Afghan people by providing diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian assistance to support the Afghan people, including Afghan women, girls and minorities."

In April, Biden announced the full US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, saying, "It's time to end America's longest war. It's time for American troops to come home." (end)

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