KABUL: US National Security Adviser Gen. H.R McMaster arrived in Kabul on Sunday days after the American military dropped its largest non-nuclear bomb on Daesh group hideouts in eastern Afghanistan, killing nearly a hundred militants.
On his first visit to the country as President Donald Trump’s envoy, McMaster said on Twitter he was set to hold “very important talks on mutual cooperation.”
“Welcome Lt. Gen. HR #McMaster to Kabul and thank you for your continuous support,” Afghanistan’s presidential palace tweeted.
On Thursday the US military in Afghanistan dropped its GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, dubbed the “Mother of All Bombs,” in combat for the first time on IS hideouts in the Achin district of Nangarhar province.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry on Sunday put the death toll at 95 militants and no civilians.
The attack triggered global shock waves, with some condemning the use of Afghanistan as what they called a testing ground for the weapon, and against a militant group that is not considered as big a threat as the resurgent Taliban.
It came a week after US President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes against Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack, and as China warned of the potential for conflict amid rising US tensions with North Korea.
Top US official visits Afghanistan after huge bomb attack
Top US official visits Afghanistan after huge bomb attack
Dutch PM-elect Jetten says not yet time to talk to Putin
- “And as long as the aggression continues, we will continue our support for the Ukrainian people,” Jetten said
- The 79-page manifesto pledged no let-up in Dutch support for Kyiv
THE HAGUE: Incoming Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten on Friday ruled out talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine, as he unveiled a new government program including firm support for Ukraine.
Speaking to AFP after publishing his governing manifesto, the 38-year-old said he would not speak to Moscow as there were currently “no indications” Russia wanted to end the war in Ukraine.
“And as long as the aggression continues, we will continue our support for the Ukrainian people,” he said.
The 79-page manifesto, hammered out after weeks of tough talks between Jetten and his two coalition partners, pledged no let-up in Dutch support for Kyiv.
“The fight in Ukraine is about the security of the whole of Europe,” said the document entitled “Getting to Work.”
“So we are continuing our own multi-year financial and military support and we will continue to argue for the use of frozen Russian assets,” the manifesto said.
The new administration also pledged to anchor in law the NATO defense spending minimum of 3.5 percent of economic output pushed by US President Donald Trump.
Asked about relations with the United States following an unseemly spat between Washington and Europe over Greenland, Jetten called for more European independence.
“I’m a little bit worried that people in Europe are mainly complaining about what’s happening in the US,” Jetten said.
“We should be having a much stronger debate about what can Europe do for itself,” he added.
Jetten, from the centrist D66 party, will now form a cabinet, aiming to be sworn in by mid-February.
He is on course to become the youngest leader of the European Union’s fifth-largest economy and the first to be openly gay.
Jetten led his party to a stunning election victory in October, narrowly defeating the far-right Freedom Party headed by firebrand anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders.
The fragmented nature of the Dutch political system means lengthy coalition haggling follows an election.
Jetten finally clinched a deal with two center-right parties but will not enjoy a majority in parliament, meaning the government will need the support of other parties to pass legislation.
