KABUL (SW) – President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday met Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, at the Arg, presidency.
According to the president’s spokesman, Sediq Seddiqi, the U.S. Envoy briefed President Ghani on his recent visit and discussions in Qatar and Pakistan. The issue of a ceasefire is an essential part of achieving peace, and without a possible ceasefire the latest round of talks would not work, President's spokesman added.
According to Seddiqi, the President emphasized during his meeting with Khalilzad that the Afghan people and government want a lasting peace and have no hesitation in this regard.
A section of Arab media quoted Taliban sources as saying that the U.S. had urged the Taliban to declare a 10-day ceasefire before signing the agreement. According to media reports, the U.S. has warned the Taliban once again of cancelling the peace talks if they do not accept the 10-day ceasefire.
A Taliban source speaking to an Arab media confirmed that the US demand has been discussed with their leaders and is awaiting a final decision.
Separately, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s office said in a statement that Khalilzad also briefed him on the latest round of peace talks in Doha and his trip to Islamabad. The statement said peace in the country is one of the fundamental demands of the citizens. It stressed that ongoing talks between the U.S. and Taliban shall lead to an end to violence and war in Afghanistan.
Talks between Taliban and the U.S. were halted about six days ago after the Taliban attacked a medical center in Bagram, but the negotiators said they had suspended talks to deliberate on next steps with their leaders.
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