Afghan MPs slam Trump’s talk of ‘wiping’ out country

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - The Afghan parliament on Wednesday unanimously rejected the U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks in which he said Afghanistan "would be wiped off the face of the Earth" if he wanted to win the war.

During Wednesday’s session, lawmakers at the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) dubbed these remarks by the U.S. President as a brazen violation of the diplomatic norms and against the spirit of cooperation.

The house adopted a resolution demanding the U.S. Congress and other corresponding official quarters not to allow anyone harm with such remarks the joint struggle against terrorists.

Ahead of a Monday’s meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Trump said: "If we wanted to fight a war in Afghanistan and win it, I could win that war in a week. I just don't want to kill 10 million people.

"I have plans on Afghanistan that if I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the earth, it would be gone, it would be over literally in 10 days," the U.S. president added.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was quick to raise concerns with a call for clarification.

"Afghanistan, as one of the most deep-rooted and ancient countries of the world, have been able to overcome countless crisis during history," said his office, adding that the country would not allow its fate to be determined by a foreign power.

Former president Hamid Karzai -- who became a staunch critic of the U.S. at the end of his second term in 2014 -- also condemned the remarks. "Trump’s statement reflects the inner instincts of America’s leadership towards our people and our country and shows that they do not respect the life and dignity of humans," he said in a statement.