*KABUL – *Representatives from the Afghan Taliban will meet US officialsin the United Arab Emirates on Monday, the movement’s main spokespersonsaid as diplomatic moves toward agreeing to the basis for talks to end the17-year war in Afghanistan continue.
Zabihullah Mujahid said representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and theUAE would also take part in the meeting, which follows at least twomeetings between Taliban officials and US special peace envoy ZalmayKhalilzad in Qatar.
The meetings come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the Afghan conflict haveintensified, although the Taliban have so far refused to deal directly withthe Western-backed government in Kabul, which it considers illegitimate.
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The Taliban say the presence of international forces in Afghanistan is themain obstacle to peace but have said that issues including mutualrecognition with the Kabul government, constitutional changes and women’srights can be negotiated. – APP/AFP
