Afghan President dismisses al-Qaeda comeback possibilityJune 18, 2014 - 15:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has dismissed the possibility of al-Qaeda linked groups making a comeback in his country in a similar way to Iraq, according to BBC News. Asked whether what was happening in Iraq could happen in Afghanistan, the president replied: "Never, not at all." The outgoing president said that al-Qaeda had no presence in Afghanistan. Nato troops withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Some commentators have warned of an increase in violence. President Karzai said that he was in regular dialogue with the Taliban - "[They] are in contact with me every day," he said. "[But they were] not able to bring peace on their own, just like I and the Afghan people and government were unable to bring peace on their own." Afghans voted in run-off polls in the presidential election on 14 June. Mr Karzai is expected to hand power to his successor in August. He said his country needed continued international support where it did not have the means to sustain itself. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |