Saudi To Host Peace Talks between Afghan Gov’t, Taliban

Sources at the Presidential Palace of Afghanistan have stated that Saudi Arabia will soon host a peace talk session between the Afghan government and Taliban which will be attended by Mohammad Hanif Atmar, the National Security Advisor of Afghanistan, Masoum Stanekzai, the intelligence chief of Afghanistan, head of the Taliban’s Quetta Council and the group political office in Qatar.

Presidential palace has also explained that Taliban leaders are interested to join peace because they are facing the crisis of legitimacy.

President Deputy Spokesman DawaKhan Menapal said,” Taliban leadership expressed willingness on peace talks, and Afghan Government will also take the peace negotiation with the leadership of Taliban.”

Former Taliban leaders didn’t confirm secret peace negotiation held between the Afghan Government and Taliban leadership.

Former Taliban leader Sayed Akbaragha said,” Taliban don’t trust Government, and Government doesn’t want the real peace to be ensured it only cheats the people.”

Meanwhile political expert Nazar Mohammad Mutahain said,” Mullah Hebatullah leads the peace negotiation this time, but the main words to end war and ensure peace is to form a plot for withdrawing of the international troops from Afghanistan.”

According the reports published secret talks were held between the Afghan officials and Taliban on October and September of 2016, in the talks Afghan Government has asked Taliban to announce ceasefire, and Taliban had also demanded that their part to be recognized officially.

Peace efforts were launched dozen times in the past one decade but none has concluded successfully.

Reported by: Bais Hayat