US soldiers like these deployed to Afghanistan have been in the landlocked mountainous country since late 2001 (THOMAS WATKINS)

Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump says he wants to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan but will leave a strong intelligence presence, branding the country the “Harvard of terrorists” in an interview broadcast Monday.

“We will be leaving very strong intelligence, far more than you would normally think,” Trump said told the Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”

“It just seems to be a lab for terrorists… I call it the Harvard of terrorists,” he said.

“I’ve wanted to pull them out,” Trump said of US troops who have been fighting in the country since 2001.

But he said he hesitates due what he described as advice from the military that it is preferable to fight militants there than at home — echoing an argument advanced by George W. Bush’s administration.

Trump’s comments come with rival Afghans set to start meeting in Qatar on Sunday in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months.

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.