KABUL - Former Senate chairman Sibghatullah Mujaddedi on Sunday resigned all his government positions, saying President Hamid Karzai's refusal to appoint him as High Peace Council head was an insult.
The president had failed to consider the sincere views and demands of renowned jihadi leaders and public figures on issues of national importance, a statement from Mujaddedi's office said.

Due to the Karzai administration's inattention to his suggestions, the ex-president -- currently heading an independent dispute resolution panel and a member of the Meshrano Jirga (Senate), as well as the High Peace Council -- said he had resigned all the posts.

The Afghanistan National Liberation Front leader, who accepted peace council members' demand to head the panel at a meeting with Karzai a month ago, dispatched his resignation letter to President Karzai on March 27.
He lashed out at the president for dithering on appointing the council's new chairman. The presidential silence represented an affront to council members and Mujaddedi, the statement added.

Aimal Faizi, Karzai's chief spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News they had received a copy of the statement. "Mujaddedi is a respectable leader and President Karzai has always held him in high esteem.
"The president will decide on appointing the High Peace Council chairman, keeping in view national unity and interest," Faizi added.

Sources say Mujaddedi, National Front chief Pir Syed Ahmad Ali Gilani and Rabbani's son Salahuddin Rabbani are being considered for the slot.

Council member Mohammad Ismail Qasimyar confirmed consultations on nominating a new chief peace negotiator were at the final stage. He would not rule out Salahuddin Rabbani's appointment to the top position.
High Peace Council Chairman Burhanuddin Rabbani, also a former president, was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack on his residence in Kabul in September last year.

According to knowledgeable officials, Gilani is a hot favorite for the slot and Mujaddedi may be dropped because of his old age. Salahuddin Rabbani could be offered some other government position.

In 2010, the government convened a consultative Jirga on peace talks with militants. Subsequently, Rabbani was named as the 70-member council's chairman in October that year.

Since his assassination some six months back, the peace negotiations have considerably slowed down, with the US entering an independent dialogue with the Taliban in Qatar. (Pajhwok)