March 25, 2021
2 mins read

Tough to meet May 1 Afghan troop exit deadline: Biden

“It’s going to be hard to meet the May 1 deadline. Just in terms of tactical reasons, it’s hard to get those troops out.”said Biden…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden has indicated that the US is unlikely to meet the May 1 deadline set by his predecessor Donald Trump to get American troops out of Afghanistan.

Addressing a news conference in Washington on Thursday, Biden said: “It’s going to be hard to meet the May 1 deadline. Just in terms of tactical reasons, it’s hard to get those troops out.”

He said that the US was consulting its NATO allies who also have troops there “and if we leave, we’re going to do so in a safe and orderly way”.

Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan

Replying to a question, the President said that he could not see the troops still being in Afghanistan next year.

“It is not my intention to stay there for a long time. But the question is how and in what circumstances do we meet that agreement that was made by President Trump to leave under a deal that looks like it’s not being able to be worked out to begin with? How is that done?”

Also read:N.Korean missile launch not provocation: Biden

He appeared to question the legitimacy of the democratically elected Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani by disparaging referring to him as “the ‘leader’, quote, in Afghanistan and Kabul”.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin “just met with Ghani and I’m waiting for the briefing on that. He is the the ‘leader’, quote, in Afghanistan and Kabul”, he said.

US troops in Afghanistan.

More than 20 years after the US and NATO troops were sent to Afghanistan to root out the Al Qaeda terror organisation and the Taliban that provided it bases, about 2,500 American troops remaining there, although down from about 100,000 at the height of the deployment in 2010.

Trump started negotiations with the Taliban for a peace settlement in Afghanistan and had set the May 1, 2021, deadline for the troops to return home.

Biden has kept on Zalmay Khalilzad, who was appointed by Trump as the special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, and is still trying to seal a peace deal.

Also read:US Defence Secy visits Ghani

Previous Story

‘UK has exclusive deal with AstraZeneca’

Next Story

China sanctions British officials

Latest from -Top News

Palestine Seeks Record UK Compensation

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas cites international law, seeking compensation for land and perceived injustices during British rule….reports Asian Lite News Britain faces a £2 trillion reparations claim from the Palestinian Authority

Khalistan Network Under Fire in Canada

Indian agencies regularly share intelligence with their Canadian counterparts, including on groups like Babbar Khalsa International, but the current focus is firmly on SFJ….reports Asian Lite News The arrest of Inderjeet Singh

India, France Hold Nuclear Talks

The meeting, held on Monday, reviewed progress in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and explored avenues to deepen the strategic partnership…reports Asian Lite News India and France convened the second meeting of their

Trump to Meet Pak PM at UNGA

The US President has already engaged with Pakistan’s military leadership, having hosted Army Chief Asim Munir for a lunch meeting in June….reports Asian Lite News The White House announced on Monday that

EU’s Kallas Calls India ‘Reliable’ Partner

The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of the shifting geopolitical realities…reports Asian Lite News European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has reaffirmed that
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Hawaii activates National Guard as lava nears key highway

Since its eruption on November 27, Mauna Loa has been

As Afghanistan explodes, Tajikistan comes in global limelight

What happens in Afghanistan does not remain in Afghanistan but