Trump seeks UN help to end $700 billion Afghan war
Shares
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump’s administration is trying to get United Nations’ help, after reversing course on campaign promises to end the $700 billion conflict, US newspaper The Hill reported.
Trump administration's national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster arrived at the US Mission to the UN in New York on Tuesday to brief the Security Council on Afghanistan, a meeting hosted by US Ambassador Nikki Haley, the report said.
The briefing comes as Trump is changing gear on Afghanistan as he enters his second year in office.
The Hill reported after decrying nation-building during his presidential campaign and dismissing the war as a "complete waste," Trump is now sending thousands more troops - up from 11,000, to 15,000 - to the country and increasing airstrikes, in an effort to stabilize it.
The Hill also reported the Security Council members have planned a trip to Afghanistan.
According to them the Tuesday briefing was well received.
UN Afghanistan Ambassador Mahmoud Saikai tweeted: "Excellent briefing today by United States National Security Advisor General H.R McMaster to members of UNSC in New York on the situation in Afghanistan."
Russia's ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told reporters after the meeting, "He briefed us on Afghanistan … it was very helpful," and that on many points Nebenzia "would agree with him."
Nebenzia said McMaster talked about the need for Russian-U.S. cooperation in Afghanistan.
The UN has attempted to mediate Afghan peace for some time, calling for a political settlement. The "Kabul Process," is due to meet on February 1 where President Ashraf Ghani is expected to present the National Unity Government’s strategy for reaching a settlement with the Taliban.
