"The presence of military personnel in Afghanistan has exacerbated crisis and instability in the country and even caused its spread in the region," Ahani said.
He also stressed that problems, like terrorism, drug trafficking and extremism have intermingled with each other in Afghanistan and have created a strong barrier against establishment of stability, security and economic development in the country.
Iran blames the US and it allies for increased drug production and insecurity in Afghanistan ever since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001. The Iranian police officials maintain that drug production in Afghanistan has undergone a 40-fold increase in the last 8 years.
While Afghanistan produced only 185 tons of opium per year under the Taliban, according to UN statistics, since the US-led invasion, drug production has surged to 3,400 tons annually. In 2007, the opium trade reached an estimated all-time production high of 8,200 tons.
Afghan and Western officials blame Washington and NATO for the change, saying the allies have "overlooked" the drug problem for seven years since the invasion of the country.
"Afghanistan's problems should be solved by its people and government and partnership of the regional countries," Ahani added.
Damsgaard, for his part, referred to Iran's important position and its "effective and constructive" role in the region, and expressed the hope that Tehran would attend an upcoming conference on Afghanistan's reconstruction to be held in Kabul within a few months.
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