Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Karzai Only Supports Afghan-Led Talks: Spokesman

Karzai Only  Supports Afghan-Led Talks: Spokesman

KABUL -Afghans must lead any peace negotiations to end the war in their country, a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said on Thursday, in a swipe at Qatar after reports that the Gulf state had agreed to set up an unofficial Taliban embassy. Kabul recalled its ambassador to Qatar on Wednesday, hours after an Indian newspaper reported that final arrangements had been put in place for a Taliban office.
The spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the recall had been prompted by concerns his government was being excluded.

"Recently there were some efforts outside Afghanistan with some countries that wanted to continue the peace process or negotiations with the armed opposition alone or...without taking consultations from Afghanistan," said spokesman Aimal Faizi.

"The aim of recalling our ambassador from Qatar was to discuss this issue," he added.

"We oppose any kind of negotiations where delegation or delegations of Afghanistan have no leading role and emphasize any kind of negotiations must be led by Afghans."

Faizi said Afghanistan would talk only to Pakistan "until we have an address for the Taliban."