Leader’s Leader Tells UN Envoy:

Afghans Should Rely on Own Strength

TEHRAN (Press TV) -- A senior Iranian official says Afghanistan does not depend on any foreign state to deal with its ongoing challenges.

Date: 22 February 2015 - 20:21

News ID: ۱۱۲۶۷

"Afghanistan’s problems must be solved by people in this country, internally and without interference of foreign countries,” Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said here in meeting with UN special representative to Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysom.
Noting that Iran and Afghanistan enjoy many commonalities, Velayati said Iran has been sheltering Afghan refugees for four decades.
All countries sharing borders with Afghanistan are prepared to help settle problems in the war-hit country, he added.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought to strengthen the legal government in Afghanistan,” Velayati said, warning that extremist groups are likely to become active in Afghanistan despite efforts by the Kabul government.
The UN envoy said Iran plays a valuable role in hosting Afghan refugees and fighting narcotics produced in Afghanistan.
Haysom added that the ongoing problems in Afghanistan should be settled only through dialog and in cooperation with Afghan forces.
The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.
Although the U.S.-led invasion removed the Taliban from power, insecurity continues in the country.
The U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan ended on December 31, 2014. However, at least 13,000 foreign forces, mainly from the United States, will remain in Afghanistan in what is said to be a support mission.