KABUL -  Veteran diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad has the ability to execute his mission of facilitating reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban, says the US secretary of state.
In a memo to staff, Mike Pompeo said he was confident in Khalilzad’s ability to achieve the goal. Khalilzad has been appointed as US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation.
On Friday, according to US media reports, Khalilzad would lead US efforts to support, facilitate and participate in a peace process between the government in Kabul and the Taliban.
The memo quoted Pompeo as saying:“There is no one better suited for this duty than an expert diplomat like ambassador Khalilzad, who was born and raised in Afghanistan, and has previously served as the US ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations.”
He added: “I am confident in Ambassador Khalilzad’s ability to execute this mission, and we are grateful for his willingness to step back into public service. As we welcome him back to the Department, let us rededicate ourselves to achieving a durable peace in Afghanistan that will ensure security for the American people. This goal is realistic. We have a team in place to accomplish it.
Born in Mazar-i-Sharif, Khalilzad was the US ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush and has been involved with US policymakers at the White House, State Department and Pentagon since the mid-1980s. (Pajhwok)