WASHINGTON – The special US representative for Afghanistan ZalmayKhalilzad, who brokered the deal between the US and Taliban, has resignedless than two months after the Taliban takeover.
US secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday announced that Khalilzadwill be replaced by his deputy, Tom West, mentioning that the new envoywill work closely with the US embassy in Afghanistan. “I extend mygratitude for his decades of service to the American people,” Blinken added.
Some reports stated that Biden’s envoy to Afghanistan submitted hisresignation on Friday. Khalilzad in his resignation letter, cited, “Thepolitical arrangement between the Afghan government and the Taliban did notgo forward as envisaged. The reasons for this are too complex and I willshare my thoughts in the coming days and weeks.”
It further stated, “Going forward, I plan to contribute to the discussionand debate about not only what happened but what should be done next”.
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The former US envoy held the post for the last three years and spearheadedthe talks with the Taliban that led to the February 2020 deal for thewithdrawal of US forces.
