KABUL, Jan 14 (NNN-BNA) – Afghan government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in an interview that, Afghanistan does not accept any form of foreign military presence, and will never hand over Bagram Air Base to the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened last year, to reoccupy Bagram Air Base, located about 50 kilometres north of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
“Bagram Air Base is an integral part of Afghan territory, and we will not allow the military of another country to be stationed on Afghan soil. We have repeatedly stated this position.” Mujahid said in the interview.
The last time Mujahid expressed similar views was at a press conference held in Kabul on Oct 12 last year, when he noted that the Afghan government was willing to engage in political and economic exchanges with all countries, including the United States, and hoped that “the United States would reopen its embassy in Kabul and initiate positive engagement through diplomatic channels, rather than insist on focusing on Bagram Air Base.”– NNN-BNA