Iran Rejects Security Concerns in Afghanistan after Withdrawal of Foreign Forces

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi underlined the potentials of President Hamid Karazai’s government for establishing security in Afghanistan, and said withdrawal of foreign forces would not lead to any security concerns in the country.

Addressing the second meeting of deputy foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Afghan issue, in Moscow, Araghchi referred to the important role of Afghanistan in regional developments, and said concern about conditions in the country after exit of foreign forces from the country is baseless.

He emphasized that by 2014, when NATO military forces are supposed to leave Afghanistan, everybody should trust potential of Afghanistan’s Islamic government in running the country’s affaires.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi said Tehran welcomes departure of foreign forces from Afghanistan; however, the forces before leaving the country should fulfill their responsibility for empowering the country’s military forces.

In relevant remarks in September, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi voiced Tehran’s preparedness to extend more aid and assistance to its eastern neighbor Afghanistan, once the western troops withdraw from the war-torn country.

Addressing the opening of the jubilee session and IV meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the CICA member states in Astana, Salehi said, “Iran is also ready to take part in the construction of infrastructure projects in the country.”