MONITORING (SW) \u2013 US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconstruction has said negotiated settlement is only path to sustainable stability in Afghanistan<\/p>\n
Zalmay Khalilzad defended the Biden Administration\u2019s exit strategy while briefing the Senate\u2019s Foreign Relations Committee.<\/p>\n
He said Washington and its allies will sanction the Taliban if they pursue a military takeover of Afghanistan. In his testimony the seasoned diplomat of Afghanistan origin the US will renew commitment to a results-focused peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban. \u201cIt has been evident now for years that there is no military solution to a conflict in Afghanistan that has now gone on for over 40 years. A negotiated settlement within the country itself, supported by the regional powers, is the only path to sustainable stability\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
The US envoy said Afghan themselves \u2013 leaders and influential personages on all sides \u2013 must know that as responsible national figures, they should craft a joint way forward instead of jockeying for individual or group power. \u201cIt is incumbent on all leaders in Afghanistan \u2013 those who\u2019ve had the privilege to be educated, the business-minded, the young people who make up over 60% of the population, the farmers – all need to focus on rebuilding a stable post-war economy. And the region and the world need to stay engaged with advice and assistance\u201d, he stressed.<\/p>\n
Khalilzas also underlined Pakistan\u2019s role in supporting peace. \u201cWe have urged Pakistan\u2019s leaders to exercise their considerable leverage over the Taliban to reduce violence and support a negotiated settlement\u201d, he said, adding Pakistan\u2019s leaders have emphasized publicly and to U.S. officials that they do not support a military takeover by the Taliban. \u201cI believe they understand that not only Afghanistan, but their country too will face grave consequences in the event of a return to a wider civil war\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hours before his speech, the State Department advised US citizens \u201cwishing to depart Afghanistan should leave as soon as possible\u201d and ordered non-essential US embassy workers to leave the country, saying \u201ctravel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe\u201d.<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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