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KABUL (SW) – The fifth round of talks between the U.S and the Taliban concluded in Doha, Qatar late on Tuesday.
Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, shared some information into these talks in a series of tweets. "Just finished a marathon round of talks with the Taliban in #Doha. The conditions for #peace have improved. It’s clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," he tweeted after the meeting ended.
"Peace requires agreement on four issues: counter-terrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, intra-Afghan dialogue, and a comprehensive ceasefire. In January talks, we "agreed in principle" on these four elements. We're now "agreed in draft" on the first two," he added.
He said once an agreement on the withdrawal of troops and counter-terror measures is finalized, negotiations on the other two issues will begin.
"My next step is discussions in Washington and consultations with other partners. We will meet again soon, and there is no final agreement until everything is agreed," Khalilzad concluded.
In a separate statement, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that extensive talks were held on two previously agreed-upon issues.
"Those two issues were the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan and preventing anyone from harming others from Afghan soil; how and when will all foreign forces exit Afghanistan and through what method?" he said in a statement.
"No agreement was reached regarding a ceasefire and talks with the Kabul administration, nor were other issues made as part of the current agenda. Reports by some media outlets in this regard are baseless," Mujahid concluded.
Haroon CHakhansuri, deputy chief of staff and spokesperson to the President, welcomed the developments. “We welcome U.S. efforts in Afghan peace process. We hope to witness a long term comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban, and hope that direct negotiations of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban begin soon”, he tweeted.
ENDS
