KABUL negotiators in Qatar.
The meetings come as no meeting could happen between the government and the Taliban negotiating teams in Doha over the past two weeks.
Dr. Talib, a member of the government team, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Khalilzad held a meeting with the government peace team late on Sunday.
He said the meeting focused on obstacles to the start of intra-Afghan talks, ceasefire and reduction in violence.
Another member of the team, who declined to be named, told Pajhwok that all government negotiators were present in the meeting with Khalilzad.
The source said Khalilzad told them that he had met Taliban negotiators as well and called on both sides to end the deadlock and start talks.
“Khalilzad emphasized that both sides are Afghans and they should resolve their problems themselves and the US will not interfere,” the peace negotiator added.
He quoted Khalilzad as saying that sustainable ceasefire was impossible and reduction in violence should be agreed upon during negotiations.
Khalilzad assured the Afghan delegation of his country’s support and said: “You represent a republic you have achieved. The world knows you and you have to negotiate from a strong position,” the source added.
Taliban political office spokesman Dr. Naeem told Pajhwok that no meeting took place between the Taliban negotiating team and Khalilzad on Monday night.
sa/ma
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