MONITORING (SW) – Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has urged the Taliban to put down arms, stop the violence and embrace peace.
He said this in a series of tweets from the Qatari capital, Doha where he is engaged in sixth round of talks with the Taliban. “Back in Doha for talks. In our opening session, I underscored to the Talibs that the Afghan people, who are their brothers & sisters, want this war to end. It is time to put down arms, stop the violence, & embrace peace”.
On Thursday, the State of Qatar hosted a new round of talks between the United States and the Afghan Taliban. This round of talks is a continuation of the last two rounds of talks that took place in Doha between the two parties, which aim to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The two parties will discuss the four components of the framework agreement, which was agreed upon in the last two rounds of talks, which are: foreign troop withdrawal, guarantees that will prevent the use of Afghanistan soil by any groups or individuals against the security of the United States or any other country, intra-afghan dialogue and negotiations, and reduction in violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire, Qatar’s QNA news reported.
The State of Qatar, which acts as the mediator in this conflict, welcomes the current round of talks between the United States and the Taliban and considers this round of an important development to achieve peace in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the State of Qatar hopes that these rounds of talks will achieve the desired results to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan, it added.
“Peace will require that we find common-ground on four inter-connected issues: troop withdrawal, counter-terrorism assurances, intra-Afghan dialogue & negotiations, and reduction in violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire. Nothing will be final until we agree on all 4 issues”, Khalilzad tweeted.
ENDS
