KABUL - The High Peace Council entered negotiations with Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) representatives in Kabul on Saturday, resuming a delicate process that was placed on ice last month.
The five-member delegation was in the capital in response to an invitation from the peace panel, the leader of the HIA team told Pajhwok Afghan News during an exclusive interview.
Dr. Ghairat Baheer acknowledged holding preliminary talks with several officials of the Karzai administration before meeting peace council members.
The team is comprised of HIA political committee members, Baheer, Abdul Malik, Hasan Niaz, Mohammad Afsar Adil and Qaribur Rahman Saeed -- in charge of the party's political wing in Europe.
Optimistic that the new round of meetings would end on a successful note, Baheer said, adding fruitful parleys were in the interest of the long-suffering nation.
Asked about the subjects discussed between the two sides, he replied: "The meetings are largely focussed on a 15-point strategy the HIA has already unveiled for resolving the conflict."
He reiterated the party demand for a clear date for the pullout of foreign troops, saying that their withdrawal would spur prospects for stability in the country.
"Since their presence is a pretext for war in Afghanistan, international troops should leave. Additionally, we want a government representing all segments of Afghan society," the HIA leader remarked.
During the last round of negotiations, he recalled, HIA delegates had met representatives of the US embassy and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They could once again meet American and ISAF officials, he indicated.
About the transfer of control of the Bagram detention centre and nettlesome night raids to Afghanistan, Baheer said: "We are supportive of all moves that take us closer to peace."
He asked the Karzai government to present its own strategy if it did not accept the HIA peace proposals. The team will meet the president and other government figures tomorrow.
Last month, the HIA -- led by former prime minister Gulbadin Hekmayar -- announced it was suspending peace talks with the government and the US because they lacked practical policy. (Pajhwok)