President Trump optimistic of peace deal with Taliban

KABUL, indicating progress in Qatar negotiations with the insurgent group.

During a meeting with his security team at the White House on Friday, Trump signaled headway in efforts for a peace deal with the Taliban.

He billed discussions with top advisors as “very well”. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford attended the meeting.

A statement from the White House said Trump’s security point man John Bolton and US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad were also among the attendees.

In a tweet, Trump said: “Just completed a very good meeting on Afghanistan. Many on the opposite side of this 19 year war, and us, are looking to make a deal — if possible!”

His Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley hailed the “discussions centered around our ongoing negotiations and eventual peace and reconciliation agreement with the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan”.

Secretary of State Pompeo said: “In continued close cooperation with the government of Afghanistan, we remain committed to achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.”

The agreement would include a reduction in violence and a ceasefire, ensuring that Afghan soil is never again used to threaten the US or its allies.

PAN Monitor/mud

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