Peace still possible in Afghanistan despite ongoing clashes with Taliban, says Abdullah Abdullah

Kabul [Afghanistan], July 16 (ANI): Ahead of their trip to Doha to discuss Afghan peace prospects, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah on Friday said that there is still a chance for peace despite the ongoing fighting between government forces and the Taliban.

“Afghan delegation who will meet the Taliban in Doha is an inclusive team and represents entire Afghanistan,” he said, as quoted by TOLOnews. “There is still a chance for peace despite the ongoing heavy fighting between government forces and the Taliban in various parts of the country,” he added. Abdullah further said the Afghan delegation that visits Doha is an authoritative team.

On Thursday, the High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) had said that eight of the eleven political leaders who have been invited for talks with the Taliban in Doha have said they will send a representative or will attend themselves. Meanwhile, the US has said that it continues to believe the only solution to Afghanistan’s problem is a political settlement and in line with this the Afghan government is sending a senior delegation to Doha.

During a press conference, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price had said: “We have been very clear about this, that we continue to believe the Islamic Republic – that is to say, the Afghan Government continues to believe that diplomacy is the only durable and just way to reach a political settlement here.”

Arguing that “peaceful and stable” Afghanistan is in the interest of all of its neighbouring countries in the region, the United States on Thursday urged all parties involved in the Afghan conflict to reach a negotiated political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. “A peaceful, stable Afghanistan is in the interest of all of Afghanistan’s neighbours and countries in the region. Regional consensus and support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process are important for enduring peace,” a state department spokesperson told ANI.

In the past few weeks, Afghanistan has witnessed a surge in violence as the Taliban have intensified their offensive against civilians and Afghan security forces with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away. (ANI)