Afghan leader asks int’l politicians not to abandon his country

PanARMENIAN.Net - Afghanistan's leader is asking international politicians not to abandon his country amid the withdrawal of most foreign troops and a surge in Taliban attacks, the Associated Press reports.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and British Prime Minister David Cameron are jointly hosting a London conference, attended by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and international diplomats.

Talks will focus on security, corruption and political reform. Ghani was elected in September but has yet to form a stable Cabinet. Meanwhile, insurgents have sought to destabilize his government with a series of high-profile attacks in Kabul.

Ghani has signed security agreements with Washington and NATO permitting an international military presence after the 13-year combat mission formally ends Dec 31. Some 10,000 American troops will remain by the end of the year.