World must back Afghans’ demand for peace: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani says the government has achieved national consensus on the peace process and now it is up to the international community to fully support the Afghan nation’s call for an end to violence.

About three months ago, intra-Afghan talks between the government and the Taliban began in Doha and the two sides have so far agreed only on procedural rules.

Both the negotiating teams recently announced they would resume talks after a three-week break for consultations.

President Ghani met with UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Deborah Lyons on Tuesday evening in the Presidential Palace, his office said in a statement.

It said both sides discussed UN’s assistance in the peace process, ending violence in the country and fight against coronavirus.

Pointing to Afghan people’s demand for lasting ceasefire and peace, Ghani said: “The surge in violence is not acceptable for us.”

He said the government had created national consensus on peace so the international community should support the Afghans demand of an end to violence.

Ghani asked Kabul-based UNICEF and WHO offices to enhance health services in Afghanistan in order to fight the second wave of coronavirus.

Lyons shared details of her visit to Qatar with Ghani, saying war and violence in Afghanistan must be ended and stressed the need for positive outcome of peace talks.

hr/sa/ma