China calls America’s Afghan exit too ‘hasty’

China has said the “hasty” withdrawal of US troops from war-torn Afghanistan has severely affected the peace process and the regional stability as it called on the UN to play its “due role” and urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to pay more attention to the situation.

The issue of US withdrawal from Afghanistan figured in a telephonic conversation between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday.

Fighting resumes

A three-day ceasefire marked by violent attacks - most claimed by the Islamic State group - ended on Sunday in Afghanistan amid calls for renewed peace talks between the government and Taliban. Fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces resumed in the restive southern province of Helmand, officials said. “The fighting started early today and is still ongoing,” Ataullah Afghan, head of the Helmand provincial council, said.