Trump hails 'very good' discussions with the Taliban

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed progress in negotiations on an Afghanistan peace deal, saying that talks with both the Taliban and the Afghan government are going well.

But while Trump said the United States has things "under control," a massive bombing in Kabul highlighted the rampant violence still plaguing Afghanistan and the major challenges it would face even if an agreement is reached.

Progress in U.S.-Taliban talks, but obstacles remain

"We're having very good discussions with the Taliban. We're having very good discussions with the Afghan government," Trump told reporters.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington from Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, U.S., August 18, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Expectations are rising for a deal in which the United States would start withdrawing its soldiers from Afghanistan after nearly two decades of war that has ground into a stalemate.

"We've really got it down to probably 13,000 people and we'll be bringing it down a little bit more and then we'll decide whether or not we'll be staying longer or not," Trump said.

"We have things under control very well with the small force. We can probably make it a little bit smaller and then we'll decide," he said, adding that "it'll depend on the Taliban, it'll depend on the Afghan government."

Taliban's former envoy to Saudi Arabia Shahabuddin Delawar (L) arrives with Taliban negotiator Abbas Stanikzai (R), along with Taliban Qatar spokesman Suhail Shaheen (2nd-R), and the Taliban's former culture and information minister Amir Khan Mutaqi to attend the Intra Afghan Dialogue talks in the Qatari capital Doha, July 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

Trump reiterated Sunday that the United States would maintain an intelligence presence in the country even if it withdraws troops, in order to guard against potential militant threats.

"I think it's very important that we continue intelligence there in all cases, because it is somewhat of a nest for hitting us," the president said.

Washington is keen to end its involvement in Afghanistan, where it has spent more than 1 trillion U.S. dollar and Trump has said since the start of his presidency that he wants troops out.

In return, the Taliban would commit to various security guarantees, including that the Islamist hardliners who long harbored Al-Qaeda would not allow Afghanistan to become a jihadist safe haven.

(Cover: U.S. President Donald Trump rallies with supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., August 15, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP