Afghanistan today welcomed a meeting of senior Western envoys to chart a path for the country&aposs development and a pledge for long-term commitment to the increasingly bloody war on insurgents.
Envoys met in Paris yesterday to discuss the outcome of Afghanistan&aposs presidential and provincial council elections, held on August 20 and overshadowed by widespread fraud allegations.
Officials also discussed the general situation in Afghanistan in the context of a harsh assessment by the US and NATO commander in the country that a new strategy is essential if the war is to be won.
Envoys, including the UN&aposs special representative to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, said the West was committed to remaining in the country, where more than 100,000 foreign troops are fighting a resurgent Taliban.
The Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement it welcomed the”long-term commitment to Afghanistan”.
Pledges that its Western backers are not looking for a swift exit were”a sign of full and long-term cooperation (by) the international community in (the) war against terrorism,”the statement said.