UN stays engaged with negotiating parties: Lyons

KABUL (Pajhwok): The top UN diplomat in Afghanistan on Thursday wrapped up several days of consultations in Doha with Afghan parties and international partners.

Deborah Lyons, UN secretary-general’s special envoy, discussed with her interlocutors the best way forward to strengthen and add impetus to intra-Afghan peace talks.

There would be no pause in work to support Afghan negotiations, she promised, saying the UN remained engaged with Afghanistan and Taliban negotiators to find the path to a just peace settlement.

In a statement from UNAMA, she said the Istanbul conference postponement provides another opportunity for the Afghan parties to demonstrate progress in Doha negotiations.

“UN will ramp up its engagement in support of an Afghan peace & end of the Afghanistan war. The UN’s impartiality & ability to convene is at the disposal of Afghans and international actors working for peace, especially regional states.”

The mission vowed to continue its work with Afghan women, youth, media, victims and civil society to support their vital role in the development of an inclusive peace.

pr/mud