Abdullah meets Swedish FM, calls for support beyond 2014

KABUL on Tuesday urged Swedish foreign minister to ensure his country leave Afghanistan after its mission of fighting terrorism was completed, the party said in a statement.

Abdullah Abdullah, the coalition head, and the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, heading a five-member delegation, held a meeting in Kabul, the statement said, adding the two sides discussed several issues of mutual interest.

Abdullah insisted on the international community’s continued support toward Afghanistan, particularly Sweden.  The Afghans would not abandon their struggle to bring peace and prosperity to their country and remove the roots of terrorism, the statement quoted Abdullah as saying.

Democracy and transparency in elections could not be ensured without wide participation of people in the process, the former foreign minister said, asking the international fraternity to remain committed to its promises with Afghanistan beyond 2014.

The visiting dignitary, who also met President Hamid Karzai, told Abdullah their top priority was a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

Bildt in his meeting with Karzai expressed sympathy with family members of the victims of the Kandahar incident, the president’s office said.

A rogue US soldier was detained after he shot dead at least 17 civilians, including nine children and three women movement on Sunday.

The Swedish delegation also discussed with Karzai the ongoing security transition process and said that the Kandahar shooting was a terrible incident.

Bildt also hailed the transfer of US-run Bagram detention centre to the Afghan control a positive move. The delegation voiced support for the ongoing peace negotiations with the Taliban

The Swedish minister also assured Karzai of his country’s continued support with Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign soldiers in 2014.

Sweden has 500 soldiers serving in Afghanistan under NATO) command.

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