ISLAMABAD – US forces have not yet been ordered to pull out of Afghanistandespite President Donald Trump’s plan to end involvement there, thecommander of American forces in the Middle East, said on Thursday.

“We have not been directed to withdraw. There are no orders to withdrawanything,” Central Command chief General Joseph Votel told the House ArmedServices Committee.

“The political conditions of where we are in the reconciliation right nowdon’t merit withdrawal,” he said.

After 17 years, Trump wants to end US involvement in Afghanistan, where14,000 American troops are still deployed

But Votel said that despite some positive signs in talks between the UnitedStates and the Taliban forces, there has still not been enough progress.

One ongoing problem, he noted, is that the Taliban are still unwilling tonegotiate directly with the Afghan government.

In addition, Afghan government troops are not yet ready to stand on theirown, he said.

“These decisions have to be based more on conditions than specific times”and must “pivot off political progress”.

“My advice is that any decision to reduce forces in Afghanistan should bedone in full consultation with our coalition partners and of course thegovernment of Afghanistan.”

“The Afghan forces are dependent on the coalition support we provide forthem,” he added. – APP/AFP