*TEHRAN: *
Iran’s link Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifon Sunday called for the formation of an “all-inclusive” Afghan governmentduring a meeting with a Taliban linkin Tehran, the ministry said.
A delegation from the movement headed by its co-founder Mullah Abdul GhaniBaradar arrived in Iran link Tuesday toexchange “views on the peace process in Afghanistanlink” at the invitation of the ministry.
The visit comes as peace negotiations between the Afghan government and theTaliban link in early January in theQatari capital Doha, meant to end a conflict spanning two decades.
“Political decisions cannot be made in a vacuum,” Zarif told thedelegation, according to a ministry statement.
“The formation of an all-inclusive government must take place in aparticipatory process and by taking into account the fundamentalstructures, institutions and laws, such as the constitution,” he added.
He also welcomed the idea of forming an “all-inclusive government with theparticipation of all ethnic and political groups”.
Zarif expressed hope the Taliban link”focus efforts on an immediate end to the pains of Afghan people, so thatthe establishment of peace in Afghanistanlink strip the outsiders of a pretextfor occupation”.
Iran link previously called for the forces ofits arch-rival the United States to withdraw from Afghanistanlink, its eastern neighbour.
*Lack of progress*
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday urged the new US President JoeBiden to put pressure on the Taliban and not rush to withdraw more troopsfrom Afghanistan link.
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His appeal came days after the Biden administration said it intends toreconsider a February 2020 agreement between former president Donald Trumpand the Taliban link.
The agreement includes the complete withdrawal of US troops fromAfghanistan link May 2021 in exchangefor the Taliban halting attacks on US forces, sharply decreasing the levelof violence in the country and advancing peace talks with the government inKabul.
The Afghan government blames the Taliban linkthe lack of progress in negotiations that started in September last yearand resumed this month.
“Since January 6, our delegation is in Doha ready to start the talks basedon the agendas. But the other side is busy travelling abroad,” governmentnegotiator Muhammad Rasul Talib told reporters in Doha.
“The negotiation is not in a stalemate yet, but there is a pause and thereason for that is the Taliban link,” he added.
“The Afghan delegation is calling on them to come back, we believe thecurrent opportunity to solve the problems should not be wasted.”
Kabul is pushing for a permanent ceasefire and to protect governancearrangements in place since the ouster of the Talibanlink a US-led invasion following theSeptember 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York.
But violence has escalated across Afghanistanlink, with the Talibanlink to make concessions. -APP/AFP
