Latest News
NATO chief says it’s time for Afghans to take ‘full responsibility’
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said late Monday that “there is no doubt that Afghanistan faces serious challenges,” but that he strongly believes Afghans have to take full responsibility for their own future.
Addressing a press conference in Brussels ahead of Tuesday’s virtual NATO foreign and Defense Ministers meeting, Stoltenberg said the only way to lasting peace in Afghanistan is for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.
He said Afghans are now responsible for the security in their own country “and at some stage the Afghans have to take full responsibility, responsibility for their own future.”
“And as we end our military presence in Afghanistan, we will continue to provide support to the country with our civilian presence, helping with capacity building, with funding for the Afghan security forces, with helping to maintain some critical infrastructure including the airport, and then out-of-country training.
On Tuesday’s meeting he said NATO ministers will discuss a range of issues regarding Afghanistan, including the way forward.
On the decision to withdraw troops he said: “The security situation in Afghanistan remains very difficult and challenging,” but stated “I think we have to understand that the intention was never to stay in Afghanistan forever.”
He said however that as NATO ends its military mission, it is “stepping up our support to Afghanistan in other ways.”
He said the civilian presence will be maintained in Afghanistan to provide advice and capacity building to the Afghan security institutions and that NATO will help fund the Afghan Security Forces.
“We are planning to provide out-of-country training for the Afghan Security Forces. And we are also now working on how we can sustain critical infrastructure. For instance, the airport provides support to the running of the airport and other critical infrastructure, which is important for the continued presence of the international community in Afghanistan,” he said.
He said: “We have been there for twenty years and we will continue to provide support but no longer through a military presence in Afghanistan.”
Iran has executed a disabled 29-year-old Afghan citizen found guilty of murder, a human rights group reported on Sunday.
The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that Wali Jan Noorzai’s execution was carried out on Wednesday at the central prison in Rafsanjan, Kerman Province.
According to the report, Noorzai was arrested by Iranian security forces in Rafsanjan three years ago on charges of “premeditated murder” and was later sentenced to death by Iran’s judiciary.
Hengaw said Noorzai was injured by gunfire from Iranian police during his arrest and lost his ability to walk as a result of his injuries.
He spent the past three years in prison using a wheelchair, and his execution was ultimately carried out while he was still in the wheelchair.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Arafat Jamal, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Afghanistan, to discuss the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and support for those returning to the country.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on the return of Afghan refugees and measures to provide them with assistance and support following their arrival in Afghanistan.
The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Afghan government and UNHCR to improve conditions for returnees.
The meeting further addressed the need to coordinate the efforts of relevant countries and international organizations involved in, or interested in, supporting the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees.
The discussions come as the issue of Afghan refugee returns remains a key humanitarian and regional concern, with international organizations emphasizing the need for safe and dignified returns and continued assistance to returning families.
Latest News
Muttaqi, UN official discuss cooperation and Doha Process
The ministry said Muttaqi and DiCarlo also shared views on future engagement and cooperation regarding the Doha Process.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a phone call with Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
According to the ministry, the two sides discussed the overall state of cooperation between the Islamic Emirate and the United Nations and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen and expand future cooperation.
The ministry said Muttaqi and DiCarlo also shared views on future engagement and cooperation regarding the Doha Process.
No further details were provided about the timing of the next round of engagement or specific areas of cooperation.
Tahawol: Hopes for improved relations between Kabul and Washington
Saar: Afghan refugee returns discussed
US envoys make first Kyiv visit amid Ukraine war peace push
Iran hangs disabled Afghan prisoner while seated in wheelchair
Muttaqi meets UNHCR representative to discuss Afghan refugee returns
Four mediators struggle to secure lasting Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire
HesabPay unveils new visa card and digital payment app in Kabul
AFC Champions League Elite draw nears as Al-Nassr seeded above Al-Hilal
Afghanistan secure direct qualification for 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup
Abasin Defenders stun Kabul Zalmi in Kabul Premier League
Tahawol: Hopes for improved relations between Kabul and Washington
Saar: Afghan refugee returns discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan and great power rivalry in Central Asia discussed
Saar: Iran-US ongoing tensions in Middle East discussed
Tahawol: US rejection of Islamic Emirate’s proposal discussed
-
International Sports5 days agoIranian clubs to face Gulf opponents at neutral venues in Asian Champions League Elite
-
Latest News3 days agoKhyber Chamber demands reopening of Torkham crossing
-
Sport5 days agoAriana Television Network secures exclusive rights to Afghanistan’s 2026/27 cricket series
-
Regional3 days agoSyria begins destroying Assad-era chemical weapons
-
World3 days agoSouth Korea reviews military options for Strait of Hormuz
-
Latest News2 days agoRussian official: West seeks military infrastructure in Central Asia, citing Afghanistan threat
-
Latest News5 days agoUzbekistan urges SCO to resume regular dialogue with Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistan’s envoy to Afghanistan discusses regional security with top officials in Islamabad