The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday welcomed thereturn of negotiators to Doha and “looks forward to the speedy resumption”of talks between the two Afghan negotiating teams in Qatar.
The UN says that these negotiations are critical in helping to bring aboutan end to fighting and to create a “lasting peace.”
The negotiators are confronted with some “daunting challenges” and “muchwork remains,” the UN says, adding that but the two teams cooperated wellin the historic first round of talks that commenced in September, making”incremental but genuine progress.”
“I urge both sides to use this opportunity to move ahead to create theconditions for a reduction in violence that will end further loss of Afghanlives and reach a political settlement that is acceptable to all segmentsof Afghan society,” said Deborah Lyons, the Secretary-General’s SpecialRepresentative for Afghanistan. “A cessation in fighting would create abetter atmosphere for talks, provide hope to the people, and allowhumanitarian actors to deliver much-needed winter assistance to Afghansacross the whole country.”
UN says it will remain in close contact with both parties and, as theSecretary-General said at the opening of the talks in September, standsready to assist as necessary.
The negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on Tuesday leftKabul for Doha where they will resume the second round of peacenegotiations that are expected to focus on ceasefire and a reduction inviolence in the country.
“The leadership committee of the High Council for National Reconciliationon Monday evening met with the Afghan Republic negotiators and discussedthe latest developments in the peace process and provided the team clearguidelines for the next round of talks,” said Abdullah Abdullah, head ofthe reconciliation council.
Abdullah said the Republic’s team has the full support of the nation andhas the mandate to discuss the peace agenda.
“We are committed to achieving a lasting peace, and we ask the Taliban todo their part. We are looking for a successful second round,” he added.
State Minister for Peace Affairs Sayed Saadat Mansoor Naderi said thenegotiating team held 86 meetings with different layers of Afghan societyover the last three weeks.
He says the top demand of Afghans is a countrywide ceasefire.
Chief negotiator Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai said he hopes that both sides ofthe negotiations reach a result that represents the demands of the Afghanpeople.
Stanekzai says Afghans want a permanent end to bloodshed in the country.
Sources said that US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul for talkswith Afghan leaders. Khalilzad met with former mujahideen leader Abdul RabRasul Sayyaf in Kabul on Tuesday.
Source:link