Obama admits gains made in Afghanistan 'fragile' as Taliban remains 'robust enemy'

Chicago, May 22 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has said that gains made in Afghanistan in the last ten years remain 'fragile' as the Taliban is still a robust enemy.

"There is genuine improvement in the performance of Afghan National Security Forces, but the Taliban is still a robust enemy and the gains are still fragile," Obama said in a press conference marking the end of this year's NATO Summit.

He touted the group's formal agreement for a 'responsible' withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan, and said that he does not believe there will ever be an 'optimal point' to withdraw.

"I don't think that there's ever going to be an optimal point where we say, this is all done, this is perfect, this is just the way we wanted it and now we can wrap up our equipment and go home," CBS News quoted him, as saying.

"This is a process and it's sometimes a messy process," he added.

According to the report, Obama also acknowledged that the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan 'will not mark the end of Afghanistan's challenges,' nor would it mark the end of America's partnership with the country.

"We leave Chicago with a clear road map. Our coalition is committed to this plan to bring our war in Afghanistan to a responsible end," the report quoted him, as saying.

"We also agreed on what NATO's relationship with Afghanistan will look like after 2014. NATO will continue to train, advise, and assist and support Afghan forces as they grow stronger," he added. (ANI)