by Abdul Haleem
KABUL, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The joint visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis to Afghanistan on Wednesday has demonstrated their support to Afghan security forces in the war against the Taliban and associated groups, observers here said.
Both the military chiefs paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul to review the situation in the militancy-plagued country, as well as to hold talks with commanders of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission and President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
"Our presence together in Afghanistan reflects our continuing commitment to bringing stability and peace," the NATO chief said at a joint press conference attended by the head of the Pentagon and president Ghani.
"The Taliban must understand that they cannot win on the battlefield and there is much more to gain around the negotiating table," the NATO Secretary General stated.
Welcoming the visit as a sign of close relations between Kabul and Washington, Afghan analyst Mohammad Reza Huwaida said that the surprise tour to Afghanistan amid increasing militancy sends a strong message to the Taliban and their supporters that the militants have no chance to win the war.
"By renewing their commitment to Afghanistan, the military chiefs of the U.S. and NATO have sent a strong message to the Taliban and their supporters to give up support, of any kind, including military, diplomatic and financial, to the militants fighting in Afghanistan," Huwaida told Xinhua.
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