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Khalilzad heads for Turkey ahead of Istanbul Summit
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has left for Turkey and the region ahead of the Istanbul summit on Afghan peace which will be held next month.
The US State Department said in a statement on Saturday that Khalilzad began the trip on Thursday – a trip aimed at encouraging the two warring parties to accelerate their negotiations to end the conflict in Afghanistan.
“He will engage the two sides on their preparatory efforts for talks on a political settlement that produces a permanent ceasefire and a durable and just peace,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Khalilzad will also meet with stakeholders to discuss “how the region and international community can facilitate talks between the sides.”
The US-backed summit over the Afghan peace process is planned for Istanbul next month. Expected to attend are the Afghan government and Taliban delegations and the UN, US, Russia, China and representatives from a number of foreign countries.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will propose a new presidential election within six months at the Istanbul summit, signaling his refusal to accept Washington’s plan for his elected government to be replaced by an interim administration.
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Acting health minister visits flood-stricken villages in Baghlan
Afghanistan’s acting minister of public health Dr Qalandar Ebad, along with other officials, visited a number of flood-hit villages in Baghlan province on Tuesday.
The officials assessed damage in the villages of Sai Hazara and Gharo in the Guzargah district.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, Ebad inspected “vulnerable areas affected by recent floods and, expressing sympathy with the local people, promised that the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health will spare no effort to provide health services to those in need.”
Ebad also expressed gratitude for the efforts of healthcare workers and their commitment to helping people in need.
He directed officials to make every effort “to improve the health status of patients affected by recent floods in the villages of Sai Hazara and Gharo, Baghlan province”.
Based on official figures, more than 300 people have died as a result of floods in Baghlan province and over 1,600 others have been injured.
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Iranian FM warns US interventions in Afghanistan ‘complicating situation’
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that continued interventions by the US into the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the country’s situation.
In a meeting in Tehran with the head of the UN in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran closely follows the developments in Afghanistan and supports stability, security, and sustainable development in the neighboring country.
He also said Iran supports the role of the United Nations in helping the people of Afghanistan.
According to Iran’s Mehr News, Amir-Abdollahian raised the issue of Afghan nationals in Iran and urged the UN to address the situation.
He also reportedly criticized the US for its “destructive role in Afghanistan during its presence in the country”, noting that the continuation of targeted interventions by the US in the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the situation further.
Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the need for diverse and multi-layered solutions to Afghanistan’s complex problems, Mehr News reported.
Otunbayeva in turn explained the latest developments and issues in Afghanistan and the upcoming Doha meeting in Qatar.
She also stressed the need to coordinate the diverse positions of regional players to help with the development and stability of the country.
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Afghanistan loses UN voting rights over unpaid dues
Afghanistan is facing another set back at the United Nations after its General Assembly voting rights were suspended due to unpaid fees.
Nasir Faiq, who has acted as Afghanistan’s representative at the UN says that failure to settle outstanding dues since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover in August 2021 led to the organization’s decision.
As a result, Afghanistan was unable to exercise its right to vote at the recent General Assembly vote concerning the recognition of the State of Palestine.
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