DOHA - The next meeting of high-level delegations from both the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban will take place at the beginning of next month, sources close to the negotiating teams in Doha said.
The first meeting was held on July 16 and lasted for two days, during which delegates agreed to continue their meetings and expedite the peace efforts. However, attendees failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire.
The sources said that efforts will be made through these meetings to achieve a framework for peace talks as the withdrawal of US and coalition forces is expected to be completed by the end of August.
“It will be helpful if an authoritative team attends the meeting this time, but if the delegation has less authority, it will not have an outcome,” said former Taliban commander Sayed Akbar Agha.
The efforts for peace come as fighting continues on multiple fronts that have led to the fall of a large swath of territory to the Taliban.
Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, in an interview with Al Jazeera, said the conflict in Afghanistan has no military solution.
“Since we think that peaceful settlement is much, much better option than the continuation of the war, we will continue to make these efforts,” Abdullah said.
But some analysts said the efforts in Doha for peace talks should be expedited and it should not take more time.
“The ordinary people will be damaged as much as the negotiations are prolonged. It is better that these talks are expedited,” said Gul Rahman Qazi, head of an Afghan political party. (TOLO NEWS)