KABUL - Attempts at deriving political mileage from the ongoing reconciliation process in the country have sparked concerns among the masses, a key opposition leader alleged on Thursday.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the National Coalition leader, made the remarks at a memorial ceremony for Nazir Ahmad Shaheedi, a Kabul University teacher who died in a traffic accident two months ago.

The campaign to about lasting peace would not succeed as soon as the people desired, believed Abdullah, a former foreign minister. "Without sparing any effort, we should make sincere and honest efforts to achieve durable peace."

Concerns about the situation after the 2014 withdrawal of foreign troops were genuine, because economic assistance to the country could dwindle, he said, explaining the gloomy picture being painted was flawed to a large extent.

As he spoke, representatives of the Afghan government, Taliban and other groups met near Paris to confer on the post-2014 situation, when NATO-led combat troops are to leave the country.

President Hamid Karzai has accorded approval to the talks -- an initiative of the French government -- on the future of his country.

High Peace Council Secretary Masoom Stanikzai and Haji Din Muhammad will represent the Afghan government at the meeting.

Members of the Taliban political bureau in Qatar, Shahabudin Dilawar and Naeem Wardak, will attend the conference on behalf of the movement at. Dilawar is a former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Ghairat Baheer, a key leader of the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA), has said three members of the party would attend the gathering. Representatives of the Afghan government and civil society will also attend.

Fazal Rahman Orya, a spokesman for the National Coalition, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had been invited to the talks, hinting at his participation along with a three-member delegation of the opposition grouping. (Pajhwok)