(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned against the growing presence of the ISIL terrorist group in Afghanistan, and called on the international bodies to take serious measures to help uproot terrorism in the neighboring country.
"At the Heart of Asia summit, we laid emphasis on the need for paying attention to the Daesh (ISIL) phenomenon in Afghanistan, which is expanding these days, Zarif told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference focusing on Afghanistan in the Azeri capital of Baku on Friday.
"The summit is an effort to create common interests and cooperation, specially among regional countries, towards security and economic development of Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign minister added.
The conference was launched in 2011 to provide a platform for discussion of regional issues, particularly encouraging security, political, and economic cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbors.
This year's edition gathered 250 representatives from 40 countries and international organizations.
Zarif further said the Afghan conflict does not have a military solution, adding that if there are no comprehensive strategies in the area, the achievement of lasting peace would be impossible.
"Afghanistan has made positive achievements in various areas, but it has also faced foreign invasion and the threat of Daesh, the Iranian foreign minister said.
Zarif reiterated that prevention of this threat is possible through common endeavors by all the regional countries.
The terrorist outfit, which has become notorious for its brutality, began establishing a notable presence in Afghanistan almost a year after making sweeping land grabs in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
It has mostly been populating the eastern province of Nangarhar, from where it has carried out high-profile brutal attacks against major population centers in Afghanistan.
In relevant remarks last month, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai said that the United States -- which has been maintaining military presence in Afghanistan since 2001 -- was colluding with ISIL there and allowing the Takfiri group to flourish in the war-stricken country. (FNA)
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