The United States Special Chargé d'Affaires Hugo Llorens in a message on Afghanistan 98th Independence Day, said his country supports Afghans’ efforts for achieving peace and a prosperous nation.

“You should be rightly proud of your achievements in education, economic growth, infrastructure, and health care. The United States believes in you and in your country's future.  We will continue to stand with you and support your tireless efforts to achieve a united, peaceful, and prosperous, Afghanistan,” he said in a statement sent by the U.S. embassy in Kabul. 

Mr. Llorens said that it is important to recall how much progress Afghanistan has made - even in the face of great challenges. 

“All of us in the United States have great respect for everything the Afghan nation has achieved, under the most difficult circumstances, since gaining independence in 1919,” he added.  

He said Afghan people are strong, resilient, and have a passionate love for their nation and families.  

“We are confident that Afghanistan's independence - and its commitment to democracy - will continue to propel it toward a future of greater possibility for generations of Afghans to come,” he stated.

This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his national security team at Camp David today to announce his strategy on Afghanistan. 

Possible plans in the strategy include sending thousands more troops into the nearly 16-year conflict, or taking the opposite tack and pulling out, leaving private military contractors to help the Afghans oversee the fragile security situation.