Abu Dhabi hosts Afghanistan peace talks with American and Saudi Arabian presence
The UAE played host to another round of talks between Afghan Taliban representatives and US officials yesterday.
Pakistani, Saudi and Emirati representatives also took part in the latest bid to end Afghanistan’s 17-year war.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the day-long meeting but offered no further details.
Although the Afghan government has not taken part directly in the talks, a team from Kabul met US and Saudi officials in the UAE on Sunday, said President Ashraf Ghani’s National Security Adviser, Hamdullah Mohib.
Officials from Pakistan also attended those talks.
Mr Mujahid said the Taliban refused to meet Afghan government representatives but the meetings would continue.
A Pakistani government official told news site Voice of America that the talks were in Abu Dhabi and the American side was led by US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.
The meeting follows at least two others between Taliban officials and Mr Khalilzad. Senior members of the Taliban in Afghanistan said the talks would continue for three days.
Taliban officials from their political headquarters in Qatar and two representatives sent by Mullah Yaqub, elder son of Taliban founder late Mullah Mohammad Omar, would attend.
Mr Yaqub’s brothers-in-law, Mullah Siddiqullah and Mullah Ameer Khan Muttaqi, were also expected to take part.
The Taliban say the presence of international forces in Afghanistan is the main obstacle to peace, but issues including mutual recognition with the government and constitutional changes can be negotiated.
The US has spent $1 trillion (Dh3.67tn) in Afghanistan since ousting the Taliban in 2001. That war has become America’s longest.
Mr Ghani announced a roadmap to peace last month, which involved a 12-person negotiating team.
He faces a presidential election at the start of next year, where his record will be challenged.
In recent months, fighting between the Taliban and the Afghan National Army has worsened, with suicide bombs and co-ordinated assaults on checkpoints increasing.