WASHINGTON -- US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad rejected a report the United States would end its support of Afghan forces as part of peace negotiations with the Taliban.
Khalilzad was debunking a Reuters report on Monday (August 26) that quoted Taliban sources who said the United States would cease its backing of the Afghan government if a peace deal was reached.
"A Reuters report quoting two unnamed Talib commanders alleges we will cease support of the Afghan forces as part of any agreement. Not true!" Khalilzad's office tweeted Monday.
"No one should be intimidated or fooled by propaganda!" he said. "Let me be clear: We will defend Afghan forces now and after any agreement with the Talibs. All sides agree Afghanistan’s future will be determined in intra-Afghan negotiations."
