US begins slow exit from Afghanistan

American forces have started pulling out of two bases in Afghanistan, a US official said yesterday, the day peace talks between Kabul and the Taleban were due to start despite widespread violence and a political crisis.

The United States is keen to end its longest-ever conflict and, under the terms of a deal signed in Doha last month, has said all foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months.

Under the accord, the US is initially supposed to reduce its troop presence from about 12,000 currently to 8,600 by mid-July, and close five of its roughly 20 bases across the country.

Troops have started leaving one base in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province in the south, and another base in Herat in the east, a US official said.

Meanwhile, Kabul is in a state of disarray and appears unable to present a unified front to negotiate with the Taleban.

On Monday, President Ashraf Ghani was inaugurated for a second term following an election that was marred by fraud allegations while his rival, former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, also declared himself the winner and swore himself in as premier in a parallel ceremony.

Washington has denounced Abdullah's self-inauguration, urging for unity in Kabul ahead of negotiations with the Taleban.