KABUL (SW) – The top US peace broker has reached Qatar in connection with intra-Afghan talks for peace.
A statement issued by the US State Department said Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad departed for Doha, Qatar on September 4. It said Khalilzad will be traveling in the region to advance ongoing U.S. efforts to promote the immediate start of intra-Afghan negotiations.
“The Afghan people are ready for a sustainable reduction in violence and a political settlement that will end the war. Afghan leaders must seize this historic opportunity for peace. All sides have taken important steps to remove obstacles for the start of IAN. Now is the time to start”, the statement said.
Earlier, the Taliban insurgents on Saturday named 21-member delegation for peace talks with the Afghan government.
According to Zabiullah Mujahed, the group's spokesman, the negotiation team has been announced on basis of decree by AmirUl Mumineen (Taliban chief Mulla Hibat Ullah). " … Sheikh Mawlawi Abdul Hakim appointed as head of negotiation team & Mr. Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanekzai as deputy. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Wardak appointed as spokesperson of Political Office", he tweeted.
As per the Taliban spokesman, the new top peace negotiator Hakim will replace Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai who led talks with the US delegation.
ENDS
