No drone strikes in Pakistan after 2014, none at least launched from Afghanistan
Zalmay Rasool says Afghanistan will not be used for launching attacks on neighbouring countries after 2014 pullout.
DUBAI:
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasool said on Thursday that his country would not be used as a launching pad for US drones attacks on neighbouring countries after NATO combat forces leave by the end of 2014.
"Afghan soil will not be used against any country in the region," Rasool told Al Jazeera television when asked if Washington would be allowed to launch drone strikes against Pakistan after the troops' withdrawal.
US-operated drones have carried out deadly missile strikes against suspected al Qaeda targets in Pakistan since 2004, with attacks peaking in 2010.
"The presence of the remaining forces in Afghanistan is for training, equipping and securing Afghanistan's security. It has been mentioned, it is going to be mentioned, that this force is not for use against any neighbours in the region," Rasool told the Doha-based channel.
Rasool was in Qatar for talks over the opening of Taliban office in Doha.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasool said on Thursday that his country would not be used as a launching pad for US drones attacks on neighbouring countries after NATO combat forces leave by the end of 2014.
"Afghan soil will not be used against any country in the region," Rasool told Al Jazeera television when asked if Washington would be allowed to launch drone strikes against Pakistan after the troops' withdrawal.
US-operated drones have carried out deadly missile strikes against suspected al Qaeda targets in Pakistan since 2004, with attacks peaking in 2010.
"The presence of the remaining forces in Afghanistan is for training, equipping and securing Afghanistan's security. It has been mentioned, it is going to be mentioned, that this force is not for use against any neighbours in the region," Rasool told the Doha-based channel.
Rasool was in Qatar for talks over the opening of Taliban office in Doha.