Afghan Taliban put forward demands before direct talks with US
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KABUL - The Taliban militants have said they are waiting to receive a formal offer from the United States for direct talks to find a solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
The group also shared a demand ahead of the talks with the United States, saying “We want names of our leaders removed from the United Nations sanctions list as a confidence building measure ahead of the talks,” according to Daily Times.
“We will start official talks with the US about the withdrawal of foreign forces and their concerns,” the Taliban representative told the Pakistan-based paper.
“We want direct negotiations with the US to find out a solution to the problem. We want talks on the withdrawal of the foreign troops first and then we will work for peace,” he further said.
This comes as reports emerged on Monday suggesting that the Administration of President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered its top diplomat to seek direct talks with the Taliban group in Afghanistan in a bid to help kick start Afghan negotiations.
Sources privy of the development in U.S. and Afghanistan have told The New York Times that the Trump administration is considering a strategy shift to help the launch of a broader, formal negotiations to end the long war.
No date has been set for the likely talks between the US and the Taliban group with the US State Department and the Taliban yet to formally comment regarding the latest developments.
