DOHA – The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation ZalmayKhalilzad on Monday greeted Afghan Taliban on a lunch in Qatar.
He held an introductory meeting with senior Taliban officials includingMullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban’s number two and head of the group’soffice in Qatar.
According to Khalilzad, the talks on peace will kick off after thismeeting. “Just finished a working lunch with Mullah Baradar and his team.First time we’ve met. Now moving on to talks,” Khalilzad tweeted on Mondayafternoon.
“Arrived in #Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation.This could be a significant moment. Appreciate #Qatar for hosting &#Pakistan in facilitating travel. Now the work begins in earnest,”Khalilzad tweeted.
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The main topics of the talks would be the withdrawal of foreign forces fromAfghanistan, ensuring that Afghanistan’s territory is not used as a threatagainst any other country, a comprehensive ceasefire and direct talksbetween the Afghan government and the Taliban, according to PresidentGhani’s spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri.
