US and Taliban negotiators have begun a fresh round of negotiations in Qatar’s capital Doha to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
Delegates from both sides described the latest round as the most crucial phase of the negotiations.
Officials privy to the talks say a peace agreement could possibly be expected before 13th of this month and would enable foreign forces to leave the conflict-torn nation.
In a tweet, US Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad said we are pursuing a peace agreement not a withdrawal agreement.
He said, US is ready for a good agreement as Taliban are signaling that they would like to conclude an agreement.
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Meanwhile,in a tweet Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said if an agreement is reached with the US, then all foreign troops will withdraw from Afghanistan under a specified timeline, paving the way for inter-Afghan negotiations.
Earlier, talking to reporters at the White House,US President Donald Trump said Washington is hoping to strike a peace deal with the Taleban by 1st of September ahead of Afghan polls.
