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The Pentagon chief made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, his first official visit outside the United States since he took office on 1 January. The US President confirmed a few days ago his willingness to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan where the United States has been militarily engaged for 17 years, the longest conflict in US history.
With our correspondent in Kabul , Sonia Ghezali
On the agenda for Patrick Shanahan, a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and General Scott Miller, commander-in-chief of 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan and head of foreign forces deployed under the banner of NATO.
The visit comes amidst intense negotiations between the United States and the Taliban for a peace process. While talks have been held face-to-face between the US envoy for peace in Afghanistan and Taliban representatives, including in Qatar, the Afghan government has so far been excluded from these meetings.
The Taliban refuse to argue with those they consider to be an illegitimate government at the boot of the Americans. " It is important for the Afghan government to be involved in Afghanistan-related discussions ," the Pentagon chief told reporters. Afghans must decide on their future, "he insisted.
Statements intended to reassure Afghan authorities increasingly isolated in peace talks in their country. Five days ago, the Taliban met opposition members of the government, and the government was not invited.
Ashraf Ghani on Monday called for a Jirga of Peace, a traditional assembly to discuss peace negotiations and the country's future in the event of conflict resolution.