Withdrawal of foreign forces best solution to Afghan issue: Iran

TEHRAN,Dec.10(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is the best solution to security problems facing the country. Mehmanparast made the remarks during a question-and-answer session with a number of media people in Karachi, Pakistan, late on Saturday in reference to the planned transition to Afghan security control in 2014. “The Americans arrived in the region and Afghanistan with the slogan ‘war on terrorism’, but today there are documents showing that terrorist groups are cooperating with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency,” he stated. He added, “If outsiders are seeking to establish security, they should leave regional countries in peace so that they can find solutions to resolve regional problems through cooperation with each other.” “The withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign military forces from the country is the major solution to resolve the Afghan issue,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Mehmanparast also stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to provide solutions to crises in the region, including problems regarding security and terrorism in Afghanistan, and believes that regional cooperation is the best way to end internal conflicts,” “The Afghan people can run their country efficiently and contribute to Afghanistan’s progress and development,” he noted. Commenting on economic cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad, particularly the implementation of the IP gas pipeline project, Mehmanparast said, “Cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in the project is one of the most important plans of the two governments, and officials of both countries are making efforts to fully implement the project.” He added, “The two countries are ready to establish banks and financial institutions to increase economic cooperation.”