MONITORING (SW) – The US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation has urged the Taliban to swiftly begin the proposed intra-Afgan talks.
Zalmay Khalilzad has met the Taliban's deputy head Mullah Baradar Akhund in Doha in connection with the peace agreement, he said in a series of tweets.
"Lengthy meeting overnight with Mullah Baradar & his team in Doha. We sought progress on a range of topics: a reduction in violence, humanitarian ceasefire as demanded by the international community to allow for better cooperation on managing COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan", he said.
The US envoy added the two sides also discussed acceleration of prisoner releases, actions necessary to secure the freedom of U.S. citizen Mark Frerichs, regional and international support for the peace process, and movement to intra-Afghan negotiations 'ASAP'.
"Will meet again after my trip to India and Pakistan", he added.
The US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation left for Doha, New Delhi and Islamabad, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.
In New Delhi, he will meet with Indian officials to discuss the important role of India in a sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the region. And in Islamabad, he will meet with Pakistani officials and also discuss the Afghan peace process.
“At each stop, he will urge support for an immediate reduction in violence, accelerated timeline for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations and cooperation among all sides in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan,” the State Department said.
Based on decree by President Mohammed Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan government has set free at least 850 Taliban prisoners.
The Taliban have so far released more than 100 government prisoners, including civilians.
Two days ago, the National Security Council announced that the Afghan government was urging the Taliban to reduce violence and start direct talks after the release of 1,500 prisoners.
According to the US-Taliban peace agreement, 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released from government prisons and the Taliban should release 1,000 captive security forces.
Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban are set to begin after the release of prisoners on both sides.
ENDS
