Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Agreement on Taliban’s Doha Office in Final Stages: Rassoul

Agreement on Taliban’s Doha Office in Final Stages: Rassoul

KABUL - A formal agreement between the governments of Afghanistan and Qatar on the opening of Taliban's political bureau in Doha had entered final stages, the foreign minister told legislators on Tuesday.

Zalmai Rassoul, who was speaking to senators after being summoned by the "Meshrano Jirga, said Afghanistan and Qatar had long been working on the agreement, paving the way for creating the office to facilitate reconciliation talks.

The bureau would not be a political office, Rassoul explained. "The Qatar office will provide information about the peace-seeking Taliban, who represent the movement or head some groups." The agreement will be presented to the parliament for approval.

Consultative meetings on peace should be held inside the country, Rassoul believed, stressing the identities of the Taliban who attended last week's Paris conference should be made known.

Syed Farrukh Shah, a senator from northern Faryab province, said the Paris meeting could be a good step toward peace in Afghanistan. He added representatives from the Taliban, who had previously refused to meet government officials, and 'Hezb-i-Islami took part in the talks.

Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar said the Senate supported Afghan reconciliation meetings in any part of the world. "The Afghan government is conducting the peace process through the High Peace Council and any interested individuals should contact the panel." (Pajhwok)