New York, Sept. 21: US President Joe Biden defended the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Tuesday in a speech to the United Nations, arguing it was a necessary step to pivot US policy to focus on a global challenge from anti-democratic systems, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.

“We’ve ended 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan and as we close this era of relentless war, we’re opening a new era of relentless diplomacy," Biden said, making his first appearance as president at the UN General Assembly. Facing criticism of the Afghan pullout, Biden vowed to defend vital US national interests, but said “the mission must be clear and achievable”, and the American military “must not be used as the answer to every problem we see around the world”. Biden said the world stood at an “inflection point in history” and must move quickly to address the festering issues of Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights abuse.

Amid growing China tensions, Biden also declared the US was “not seeking a new Cold War”. The President, in brief remarks at the start of his meeting, returned to his mantra that “America is back”. - Agencies