Quetta, March, 17: Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan has expressed his confidence that military operation of the United States was near to completion in Afghanistan, and said that he could assure that the American forces would not stay there for long.

He was speaking in the Hal Ahwal programme of Quetta Press Club here on Saturday.

ANP Secretary-General Dr Annayatullah Khan and its Balochistan President Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi were also present on the occasion.

Mr Wali said there was a general view that the US had come to Afghanistan to stay for long, to have control over the oil resources of Turkmenistan. “But in my opinion this is wrong, as the US has already had access to the oil of Turkmenistan”, he added.

Afghanistan could benefit from the presence of the US forces, in terms of economic aid to build its infrastructure, he added.

When asked about his support to the present military government over the Afghan issue, he clarified that he and his party had been standing for a peaceful solution of the issue through convening of Loya Jirga.