Trump's hope to 'take back' Bagram airbase dismissed by Taliban official

Bagram airbase was handed over to the Afghan military shortly before the Taliban returned to power.

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Zakir Jalal, who works in the Taliban's foreign ministry, said the idea of the US maintaining any military presence in Afghanistan was "completely" rejected during talks between the two sides before the Taliban returned to power.

It came after the US president hinted retaking Bagram airbase - the epicentre of Nato forces in Afghanistan for two decades - might be possible "because they need things from us".

The base was handed to the Afghan military shortly before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

Trump said at a press conference in the UK on Thursday the US "gave it to them for nothing".