RIYADH – Afghanistan’s National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar hasleft for Saudi Arabia on a special invitation of the Saudi Crown PrinceMohammad bin Salman Al Saud, Khaama Press has reported.

A spokesman for the Office of the National Security Council (ONSC) QadirShah confirmed that Atmar has left for Saudi on official visit and on aspecial invitation of Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.

Qadir Shahd further added that Mr. Atmar will hold talks with senior Saudiofficials during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

According to Qadir Shah, Mr. Atmar will hold talks on a various issues ofbilateral interest but did not elaborate further.

The Afghan government believes that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can play avital role to assist Afghanistan in various sectors including thereconciliation process.

In the meantime, some changes have also been noted in the perspective ofthe Saudi officials regarding the militant groups conducting insurgency inAfghanistan.

A top Saudi diplomat told reporters in Kabul late last year that theKingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns all acts of insurgency against the Afghangovernment.

The Saudi diplomat Mishary bin Mazal Alharbi said the current stance of theKingdom of Saudi Arabia is that it considers the insurgency led by theTaliban group an act of terrorism.