WASHINGTON – The United States says in order to ensure Security inAfghanistan a negotiated political solution that includes Pakistan needs tobe found.

This was stated by the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southand Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells in an interview during a visit toAfghanistan.

She said ultimately the solution to Afghanistan’s security and stabilitywill lie in a political resolution not only on the military battlefield.

She said we see an opportunity for Pakistan to secure its legitimateinterests through support for a negotiated settlement. The US official saidwe see the South Asia strategy as an opportunity for Pakistan.

Wells said Pakistan needs to be part of a wider solution for Afghanistan.She said as dialogue with Pakistan continues on the US’s part, it isimportant to achieve results around peace that are mutually beneficial forboth Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On the recent spate of attacks in Kabul, she said this was testimony tosome elements within the Taliban who are not prepared to work for peace.

Wells said this vision for peace had the support of the internationalcommunity, which is scheduled to meet later this month for the KabulProcess. She also said the US understands the courage it takes to continueto stand for peace.