US envoy Khalilzad briefs Afghan President Ghani on talks with Taliban

Published January 28, 2019
A statement issued by the Afghan president's office quotes US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad saying that there was no progress on issue of ceasefire with Taliban or regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops. ─ AP/File
A statement issued by the Afghan president's office quotes US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad saying that there was no progress on issue of ceasefire with Taliban or regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops. ─ AP/File

The Afghan president's office said United States peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has shared details of his recent talks with the Taliban in Qatar with President Ashraf Ghani and other government officials.

Monday's statement quotes Khalilzad as saying he held talks about a ceasefire with the Taliban but that there was no progress yet on that issue.

The statement also claims the Taliban demanded from Khalilzad the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan, but that there was no agreement on that.

US-Taliban talks: As hopes rise of a deal, what comes next?

There was no immediate comment from Khalilzad or the US Embassy.

The statement appeared directed at toning down last week's remarks by Khalilzad reporting "significant progress" in talks with the Taliban.

It also says Ghani thanked Khalilzad and praised US efforts to restart negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...