News / Afghanistan

Afghan MPs urge Kabul to review agreement with US

Thursday, 23 April 2015 5:39 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 23 April 2015 5:40 PM ]

Afghan lawmakers listen to President Ashraf Ghani's speech during the inauguration ceremony of the new session of the parliament in the capital city of Kabul, March 7, 2015. ©AFP

A number of lawmakers in the Afghan parliament have called on the government to reconsider a security agreement with the United States as Taliban militants step up their violent attacks in the war-torn country, Press TV reports.

MP Ramazan Bashardost told Press TV that the security situation in Afghanistan has not improved despite the signing of the controversial Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that permitted the presence of a reduced contingent of US troops in Afghanistan.

“The agreement is contradictory and inconsistent with our situation. I was opposed to signing it from the very beginning because I knew it wouldn't benefit us,” Bashardost added.

The BSA, which was signed in September last year, allowed nearly 10,000 American troops to remain on the Afghan soil. They are tasked with advising Afghan forces on how to fight against militants on battlefields.

“We have decided that the security agreement should be reconsidered because the US is not helping us in restoring peace,” MP Allah Gul Mujahid told Press TV.

The development comes as Taliban militants have stepped up violent attacks on foreign and government targets in recent weeks.

They recently announced the start of their annual spring offensive against Afghan security forces and the US-led foreign troops across the war-stricken country.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but insecurity still remains across the country.

The US-led combat mission in Afghanistan ended on December 31, 2014. However, at least 13,500 foreign forces have remained in the country in what Washington calls a support mission.

SSM/KA

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk