UK premier says Trump's remarks on NATO role in Afghanistan 'insulting'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday said US President Donald Trump's remarks about NATO troops in Afghanistan were insulting.

Speaking to reporters in London, Starmer said Trump's remarks diminishing the troops' role were "insulting and frankly appalling," and the US president should apologize.

"If I had misspoken in that way, I would certainly apologize," he said.

He reiterated the "very close relationship" between the UK and US, which he said "is important for security and defense."

Earlier on Friday, the British government said Trump is "wrong" to claim NATO troops avoided the Afghanistan front line.

Trump on Thursday said NATO troops stayed "a little back, a little off the front lines" during the war in Afghanistan.

The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan from 2001, after it invoked NATO's collective security clause following the 9/11 terror attacks. As many as 457 British personnel were killed in the conflict.