US confirms long-term Afghan presence

Washington’s acting special envoy to Afghanistan Frank Ruggiero confirms that the United States is planning a long-term stay in the war torn country.

However, Ruggiero, who was speaking during his first visit to Kabul on Monday, rejected reports that the US is seeking to build “permanent” military bases in Afghanistan.

“The United States of America has long-term commitment to Afghanistan but has no plan to have permanent base here,” Ruggiero said.

Ruggiero replaced Richard Holbrooke following his death in December 2010.

In early January, Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina had suggested setting up permanent air bases in the country.

“We have had air bases all over the world and a couple of air bases in Afghanistan would allow the Afghan security forces an edge against the Taliban in perpetuity. It would be a signal to Pakistan that the Taliban are never going to come back. In Afghanistan they could change their behavior. It would be a signal to the whole region that Afghanistan is going to be a different place, “Graham said.

President Barack Obama has talked about an enduring presence in Afghanistan but has not detailed what that would entail.

Despite an earlier pledge by Obama for a major drawdown of troops from the war-ravaged country by July 2011, American officials recently announced that US soldiers would remain in Afghanistan for at least another four years.

Analysts say the US is looking for an excuse to expand its military operations in the troubled South and central Asian regions to secure bases near Russia and China.

NATO has admitted to the rising power of militants in Afghanistan despite the growing presence of US-led forces in the country, which currently stands at 150,000.