Monitoring Desk
KABUL: US Vice President Mike Pence spoke with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan by phone last night and emphasized on peaceful transition of leadership in Balkh province, White House said Wednesday.
The White House said in a statement that the Vice President highlighted Kabul’s continued engagement and critical progress on necessary reforms, political inclusion, and preparations for forthcoming elections.
It said Pence and Ghani discussed the political leadership in the Balkh province.
“The Vice President emphasized his support for the Afghan government to engage with Balkh Governor Atta and conduct a peacefully negotiated transition of leadership,” the statement said.
It said the Vice President also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and the impact of President Trump’s South Asia strategy, adding the discussion was a continuation of the dialogue that the Vice President had with Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah in Kabul last month.
The Vice President and Ghani both commended the bravery and sacrifices that U.S., Coalition, and Afghan soldiers have made in fighting the insurgency and international terrorists, such as ISIS and al-Qaida.
The influential warlord and governor of Balkh pro-vince Atta Muhammad Noor was removed by President Ghani sometimes ago but he refused to leave the post.
