Afghanistan to hold peace talks with Taliban in Qatar
File Photo Used for Representational Purpose
Kabul : Afghanistan’s government has announced that it will send a delegation to Qatar to “exchange views” with the Taliban, after repeated failures to establish direct talks between the two sides.
Kabul officials and members of the Taliban are expected to hold talks in Doha later in the month, despite the Afghan militant group saying it would not deal with the government.
“For now, an inclusive delegation will go (to the Qatari capital) on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and exchange views with the Taliban,” said Mohammed Omar Daudzai, President Ashraf Ghani’s envoy for peace.
He stressed that the delegation will only serve to swap views with the Taliban, and there would be no formal negotiations with the movement.
Reports said that, Members of the government will meet on Wednesday to finalise delegates, and to decide who will comprise that official negotiating team.
The Taliban have refused to talk with the Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate puppet regime.
Talks were held between the Taliban and Afghani opposition groups in Moscow in February.
