Biden says Afghan govt needs to deal with its internal issues

US President Joe Biden has voiced concern over the state of Afghanistan and government’s ability to win the support of the Afghan people after his troops have withdrawn.

Addressing reporters at the White House, Biden was asked about the Afghan government’s ability to hold on to power after the withdrawal of American forces.

He said: “I think they have the capacity to be able to sustain the government. There’s going to have to be, down the road, more negotiations, I suspect. But I am concerned that they deal with the internal issues that they have to be able to generate the kind of support they need nationwide to maintain the government.”

Biden also said that some US forces will still be in Afghanistan in September as part of a “rational drawdown with our allies.”

“We’re on track exactly as to where we expected to be. But we just–, I wanted to make sure there was enough, quote, running room that we be–, get–, wouldn’t be able to do it all until September. There will still be some forces left but it is a rational drawdown with our allies and it’s making–, so there’s nothing unusual about it,” Biden said.

However, Biden would not be drawn on Afghanistan any further.

“I’m not going to answer any more questions on Afghanistan. Look, it’s Fourth of July,” Biden told reporters.

The Wall Street Journal meanwhile reported Saturday that US officials have intensified planning for an emergency evacuation of the American embassy in Kabul amid concern that a worsening security situation could imperil the remaining military and diplomatic corps, as well as other Americans.

According to the WSJ, the preparations are taking place as part of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which the Pentagon said Friday would take place by the end of August.