Taliban Says Trump ’Serious’ About Afghan Withdrawal

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump is serious about getting out of Afghanistan, the Taliban told AFP Friday.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid spoke to AFP via WhatsApp a day after the US said talks with the militants are "on the right path," fueling speculation of a breakthrough in the 17-year conflict.

Trump’s apparent eagerness to pull troops out weighed on the negotiations, which culminated with six straight days of meetings in Qatar last week.

"An agreement was reached on a principle framework... which, if implemented, and if the Americans take honest steps and stick to it truthfully, then God willing we are hopeful that the Americans will end the occupation of Afghanistan," Mujahid said.

"It appears that Trump is serious," he continued.

Relatively, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad also spoke this week of a "draft framework" for a deal, though he warned that major hurdles – including any US withdrawal – remain.

The Taliban took over Afghanistan in 1996, imposing Shariah law on the country until they were toppled in the US invasion of 2001.