NATO's Stoltenberg says plan was to build Afghan state, not to stay there forever

BRUSSELS - NATO's aim in Afghanistan was to help build a viable state, not to maintain a permanent presence there, and so the government's collapse in the face of Taliban forces after 20 years is a tragedy, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.

Stoltenberg told a news conference that NATO would hold the country's new rulers accountable for the respect of human rights, including those of women.