Afghanistan not ready for NATO-led forces withdrawal: LavrovOctober 9, 2013 - 10:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The development of the situation in Afghanistan clearly shows that Afghan security forces will not be in position to take control of law and order in the war-torn country after the withdrawal of NATO-led forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, according to RIA Novosti. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which has been fighting the radical Islamist Taliban movement in Afghanistan since 2001, is expected to withdraw from the Central Asian country by the end of 2014, handing over responsibility for security in Afghanistan to local police and military forces. “The closer the date of withdrawal is, the more evidence we have that Afghan security forces are not going to be ready,” Lavrov said in an interview with Russia Today television on Tuesday, Oct 8. “There are serious problems in the security sector, there are problems with the Taliban who do not want to get into the national dialogue with the government, who only want to talk to the Americans, which is unacceptable to the [Afghanistan] government for obvious reasons,” the minister said. Lavrov warned against “playing games” with the Taliban fighters behind the government’s back, saying that it would inevitably lead to a situation where “they would be only interested in taking power one hundred percent, which would be an invitation for another war in Afghanistan.” He reiterated that a political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan is possible only through dialogue that would include all political, ethnic and religious groups working together to form a government of national unity. “Unless we have an inclusive process, I'm not very optimistic about any political solution to the situation in Afghanistan,” Lavrov said. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |