KABUL (Pajhwok): The US special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation says if the Taliban use force to achieve power, they will face isolation, global opposition and sanctions.
VOA quoted peace, Zalmay Khalilzad all telling the House Foreign Relations Committee the Taliban might reach peace through negotiations and quit violence in the country.
The ambassador added the insurgent group would be considered as an influential movement and respected globally if it made peace through negotiations.
Khalilzad’s warning comes days after Afghan government asked the global fraternity to consider slapping sanctions on the Taliban.
President Ashraf Ghani, in an interview with Spiegel, said European countries should impose sanctions on the Taliban in case they acted against their will.
Meanwhile National Security Advisor, Hamdullah Mohib -- in a telephonic conversation with the Chinese foreign minister -- also demanded sanctions on the militant outfit.
Khalilzad once again emphasised on the UN’s active role in the peace process and hoped the Taliban would attend the Istanbul summit.
He added the US worked closely with the UN to strengthen the world organisation’s role in the Afghan peace process.
The US hailed efforts of the UN, Turkey and Qatar for organising a joint conference in Istanbul on speeding up the Afghan peace push.
But the summit was delayed after Taliban said they would not participate until all foreign troops fully withdrew from Afghanistan.
Khalilzad told lawmakers the US was withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan. The Afghan forces were capable of independently defending their country.
hr/mud
