The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban must find a path to a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said in a tweet after concluding a three-day visit to Kabul.
The US peace envoy further went on to describe his consultations with government officials, civil society and women leaders, and other political figures as “productive” over the last three days.
“In Kabul, I discussed various options/alternatives to propel the process forward. I was encouraged by what I heard,” Khalilzad said about his meetings in Kabul, adding that there is a “widespread support” for the need to move more quickly and deliver a just and durable peace.
2/4 With all parties, I outlined our focus on Afghanistan, diplomacy, and garnering wider international support in order to help Afghans make more rapid progress on the peace process. pic.twitter.com/SVQRkk5OaL
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) March 3, 2021
He did not provide details regarding his meetings with the Afghan political figures.
A source in the government, however, told Kabul Now that the US envoy on Afghan peace had brought a new peace policy paper signed by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. According to the source, the US has presented a detailed plan for establishing a transitional administration and Khalilzad will also share it with the Taliban in Doha.
As per the plan, the new round of intra-Afghan peace talks will be attended by prominent Afghan figures and the Taliban leadership in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
