Khalilzad to press Taliban to stop offensive

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Special Representative for Zalmay Khalilzad is travelling to Qatar to press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement, says the State Department.

Khalilzad, who departed for Doha on August 8, would stay there to help formulate a joint international response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

In several planned meetings over three days, representatives from countries in the region and beyond as well as from multilateral organizations will push for a reduction of violence and ceasefire and a commitment not to recognise a government imposed by force.

The diplomat would press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement, the only path to stability and development in Afghanistan, a statement from the State Department said.

The increased tempo of Taliban’s military engagement, resulting in civilian causalities and alleged human rights violations, were of grave concern, the statement added.

“A negotiated peace is the only path to ending the war, and the United States will continue to work with all parties and with regional and international stakeholders to advance a consensus on a political settlement.”

sa/mud