ISLAMABAD: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation ZalmayKhalilzad arrived today to discuss the matters related to Afghan peacetalks with the Pakistan leadership.
According to sources, Zalmay Khalilzad would hold meetings with the toppolitical and military leaders during his visit and discuss the next phaseof the peace process as Afghan rivals hold talks in Qatar in search for a‘lasting peace’ in the war-torn country.
Khalilzad, who attended inaugural sessions of Doha dialogue, isaccompanying a three-member delegation of senior US officials.Kabul mounts pressure on Taliban for truce
The Afghan government ratcheted up pressure for a truce with the Taliban onMonday, reiterating calls for a long-term ceasefire during talks.
The two sides are in the early stages of meetings in an effort to hammerout a deal bringing to a close 19 years of bloodshed in Afghanistan.
A slick opening ceremony on Saturday saw the Afghan government and allies,including the US, call for a ceasefire.
But the Taliban, who fought a years-long guerrilla campaign againstAmerican and Afghan forces after they were forced from power in a 2001US-led invasion, did not mention a truce as they came to the negotiatingtable.
Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi tweeted Monday that thepresence of government negotiators at the talks “is aimed at achieving aceasefire, ending the violence and ensuring lasting peace and stability inthe country.”
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The head of the peace process for the Afghan government, Abdullah Abdullah,had earlier suggested the Taliban could offer a ceasefire in exchange forthe release of more of their jailed fighters.
Schedules and a code of conduct for the talks were discussed in meetings onSunday, according to both sides, but talks on substantive issues are yet toget underway.
Delegates warned negotiations, which take place even as fighting continuesin Afghanistan, would be arduous and messy.
“We will undoubtedly encounter many challenges in the talks over the comingdays, weeks and months,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during avisit to Doha Sunday.
He also urged the warring sides to “seize this opportunity” to securepeace. -APP/AFP
