Khalilzad calls for cohesive strategy for Istanbul conference

KABUL (SW) – Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, has said the world expects Afghans to attend the Istanbul conference with a cohesive plan.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Saturday and met with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. He emphasized that the US remained committed to supporting Afghans for peace and beyond.

In a statement, the HCNR said the US envoy appreciated the formation of a consensus under its umbrella. Abdullah called on all parties involved to work together to end the war in Afghanistan and bring peace. In a meeting with Khalilzad, Abdullah said that Afghanistan was committed to achieving a just and lasting peace and that he would go to the Istanbul Conference with a common vision and plan.

The Presidential Palace also said that President Ashraf Ghani and Zalmay Khalilzad met at the Presidential Palace this morning and discussed the progress of the peace process and preparations for the Istanbul conference.

Although the exact date of the Istanbul conference has not yet been announced, the Presidential Palace says it will be held in the near future.

President Ghani, while presenting his peace plan last week, stressed that Afghans should come to the Istanbul conference with a single plan and, according to him, be fully prepared for it.

ENDS

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