Khalilzad, Abdullah talk cut in violence, peace parleys

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation arrived in Kabul and met High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday.

Fraidoon Khwazoon, the HCNR spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad reached the capital late on Sunday night.

Khwazoon said both sides discussed the acceleration of peace talks and a review of the US-Taliban accord by the Biden administration.

They also conferred on the second round of intra-Afghan peace talks in Doha, reduction in violence, the way forward in the negotiations and the establishment of durable peace.

Dawa Khan Menapal, acting presidential spokesman, told Pajhwok Khalilzad would also meet President Ghani today (Monday).

The visiting US envoy would resume discussions on the way ahead with Afghan leaders and Taliban representatives, the State Department announced late on Sunday.

He will meet representatives of regional countries whose interests are best served by the achievement of a just and durable political settlement and permanent ceasefire.

sa/mud