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AFGHANISTAN-US-DIPLOMACY
New Pentagon chief in surprise Afghan visit weeks before US withdrawal
ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT, March 21, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – US Defense
Secretary Lloyd Austin completed an unannounced visit to Afghanistan Sunday,
the Pentagon said, just weeks before Washington is due to withdraw the last
of its troops under a deal struck with the Taliban last year.
Austin held talks with President Ashraf Ghani less than a week after US
President Joe Biden said it would be “tough” to meet a May 1 deadline for a
complete troop withdrawal.
Pentagon officials ordered a news blackout on the visit until after Austin
left.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1934 hrs