Pakistan hosts Afghanistan endgame negotiations between US, Afghanistan and Taliban: Sources
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ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s strong role has surfaced in the Afghanistan endgame, it has been revealed.
A Pakistan-arranged meeting between U.S. and Taliban officials will be held today in Qatar to find a political solution to the decades-long war in Afghanistan.
The special representative for Afghan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, will lead the US team at the talks in Doha, the Voice of America reports.
Khalilzad, is visiting regional countries to gather support for Afghan peace talks. He is 14 days into an 18-day visit to the region and has already visited Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belgium.
Since taking office in September, the Afghan-born US special envoy has held two meetings with the Taliban in Qatar, where the insurgent group operates its so-called “political office.”
Islamabad has facilitated the Monday’s dialogue after President Donald Trump wrote to Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this month seeking his cooperation in bringing the Taliban to the table for peace negotiations.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has confirmed participation of its political negotiators in Monday’s meeting with American officials. Representatives of the host country, Pakistan, UAE and Saudi Arabia will also be in attendance.
The Taliban say the presence of international forces in Afghanistan is the main obstacle to peace but have said that issues including mutual recognition with the Kabul government, constitutional changes and women’s rights can be negotiated.
On Saturday, Washington said it welcomes actions Pakistan is taking to promote a negotiated solution to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.
“The United States welcomes any actions by the Pakistani government to promote greater cooperation, including fostering negotiations between the Taliban, the Afghan government, and other Afghans,” a US embassy spokesperson in Kabul told VOA.