By Chathushka Perera
Doha, Qatar (CWBN)_ President Ashraf Ghani met US delegates, US Peace Envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, and Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, and other Persian Gulf representatives, taking a necessary step to implement peace in the war torn state.
‘Afghans should not let the opportunity for peace to slip away’, Khalilzad stated on Twitter.
Khalilzad stressed concern over the high degree of violence occurring in the country and further affirmed US support to establishing an ‘Afghan-owned’ peace process and political settlement. He also called for assistance from the international community, especially that of states neighbouring Afghanistan.
A similar statement was made by Abdulla Abdulla, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation when he met Ghani on Sunday. Abdulla expressed the need to have Indian involvement in the peace talks, while noting Pakistani interference in the peace process.
Ghani took part in the negotiations while visiting Kuwait and Qatar in the hopes of expanding relations with the host countries in various sectors, inclusive of regional peace, in the aftermath of several bombings that occurred in Laghman and Nangarhar.
Furthermore, the Shaheen Army Corps. stated that 125 Taliban fighters in Charkint laid down arms in support of the peace process owing to the influences of the local governor and tribal elders.
Taliban Spokesperson, Abdul Haq Wasiq, stated that the militant body has “no program” to meet with Ghani in Qatar, however, according to Khalilzad, consensus has been met by the Taliban and Afghan delegates with respect to 18 or 20 points of interest.
