In an unannounced visit .. US Secretary of Defense in Kabul to revive talks with the Taliban

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday for an unannounced visit to try to get talks with the Taliban back on track after US President Donald Trump abruptly stopped them last month.

Esber's visit to Kabul comes amid doubts about the US commitment to its allies after a surprise withdrawal of its troops from northeastern Syria and Trump's long-standing desire to break international commitments.

"The goal is still to reach a peace agreement at some point. The political agreement is the best way forward," Esber told reporters traveling with him to Afghanistan, where he is scheduled to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and with US forces there.

"I hope we can move forward and reach a political agreement that will achieve our goals and achieve the goals we seek," he said, adding that the United States could, if necessary, reduce its forces to 8,600 from 14,000 without affecting counterterrorism operations.

Stop conversations
Trump suspended talks with the Taliban, aimed at reaching an agreement to withdraw US and other foreign troops in return for security guarantees from the Taliban, after the group carried out a bombing in Kabul last month that killed 12 people, including a US soldier.

The United States says it has stepped up operations against militants in Afghanistan since Trump pulled out of talks with the Taliban.

Esber's visit to Afghanistan is the first since he became defense minister and comes during a period of political and security uncertainty in the country.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington remained committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan as police searched for bodies in the wreckage of a mosque in Nangarhar province after bombings killed at least 69 people.

Although Afghanistan's presidential election is being held in a calmer atmosphere, the country is on its way to long-term political uncertainty, with the two main candidates declaring victory before counting votes and signaling they will not be defeated.