Kabul welcomes US assurances on Taliban deal

The Afghan government Saturday welcomed a pledge by the Pentagon that the US would only accept a "good deal" from the Taliban after a wave of insurgent attacks sparked concerns of a hasty US withdrawal.

During a wide ranging press conference in Paris earlier Saturday US Defense Secretary Mark Esper sought to allay fears that Washington was looking for a quick exit from Afghanistan as it inches closer to a potential deal with the Taliban.

"My view, the US view is that the best way forward is a political agreement and that's what we're working diligently on right now," Esper told reporters.

"That doesn't mean we'll take any deal, but we want to make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guarantees at least the security of our countries going forward and a brighter future for the Afghan people."
"We echo the need for sustainable peace, end of violence and a meaningful peace that would guarantee the security of Afghanistan and its allies."