Talks aimed at ending the deadly, 17-year war in Afghanistan are continuing, but agreement on the key Taliban demand for the withdrawal of foreign troops has not yet been reached, the U.S. special representative on Afghan reconciliation said today.
Discussions over the implementation of a ceasefire with the Taliban had also yet to progress, according to statement released from the office of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that followed a briefing from special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.
“If any decision is taken regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops, it would be made following a detailed discussion in coordination with the Afghan government,” Khalilzad said in the statement.
The Taliban on Saturday said progress was “impossible” until an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. The group also rejected a ceasefire and direct talks with Ghani’s administration.
Khalilzad had earlier rejected media reports that the talks also included the establishment of future interim government of Afghanistan, adding he’s tasked to provide an “intra-Afghan dialogue for a sustainable peace.”
In a series of tweets sent Saturday, Khalilzad said the parties “made significant progress on vital issues” after six days of talks in Doha.
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