The US envoy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-indicates-no-ceasefire-anytime-soon-223361">negotiating with the Taliban</a> will hold new talks this month with the insurgents in Qatar, the State Department said Saturday, as momentum builds for a deal to end America's longest war.

Zalmay Khalilzad, a veteran US policymaker who is leading President Donald Trump's push to broker a peace deal with the Taliban, left Friday on a 17-day trip that will also take him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Germany, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates, the State Department said.

In Doha, he will resume talks with the Taliban after a break of around a month "to move the peace process forward," the State Department said in a statement.

Khalilzad has already met six times with the Taliban in recent months as he looks to seal a deal under which the United States will pull out troops who were first deployed following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The United States and the Taliban are believed to have largely agreed on the key demand of Washington from 2001 and again now -- that the Taliban not allow Afghanistan to be used by violent extremists.

But a major sticking point remains the refusal of the Taliban to negotiate with President Ashraf Ghani's government, which enjoys international support.

The Taliban, believing they have leverage on the military front, have also rejected Ghani's overtures for a nationwide ceasefire.

"No one should expect us to pour cold water on the heated battlefronts of jihad or forget our 40-year sacrifices before reaching our objectives," Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhundzada said in a rare message released Saturday.

In Kabul, Khalilzad will meet representatives of civil society and women's rights groups, which have been especially concerned about a larger role for the Taliban.

Khalilzad will "encourage all parties to work towards intra-Afghan negotiations that lead to a final peace settlement," the State Department said.

Germany, another of Khalilzad's stops, has voiced willingness to hold a meeting on peace in Afghanistan.

He will start his trip in Pakistan, the chief backer of the Taliban before September 11, which has used its contacts to facilitate the talks with the Taliban.

The US envoy negotiating with the Taliban will hold new talks this month with the insurgents in Qatar, the State Department said Saturday, as momentum builds for a deal to end America's longest war.

The US envoy negotiating with the Taliban will hold new talks this month with the insurgents in Qatar, the State Department said Saturday, as momentum builds for a deal to end America's longest war. Zalmay Khalilzad, a veteran US policymaker who is leading President Donald Trump's push to broker a peace deal with the Taliban, left Friday on a 17-day trip that will also take him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Germany, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates, the State Department said. In Doha, he will resume talks with the Taliban after a break of around a month "to move the peace process forward," the State Department said in a statement. Khalilzad has already met six times with the Taliban in recent months as he looks to seal a deal under which the United States will pull out troops who were first deployed following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The United States and the Taliban are believed to have largely agreed on the key demand of Washington from 2001 and again now -- that the Taliban not allow Afghanistan to be used by violent extremists. But a major sticking point remains the refusal of the Taliban to negotiate with President Ashraf Ghani's government, which enjoys international support. The Taliban, believing they have leverage on the military front, have also rejected Ghani's overtures for a nationwide ceasefire. "No one should expect us to pour cold water on the heated battlefronts of jihad or forget our 40-year sacrifices before reaching our objectives," Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhundzada said in a rare message released Saturday. In Kabul, Khalilzad will meet representatives of civil society and women's rights groups, which have been especially concerned about a larger role for the Taliban. Khalilzad will "encourage all parties to work towards intra-Afghan negotiations that lead to a final peace settlement," the State Department said. Germany, another of Khalilzad's stops, has voiced willingness to hold a meeting on peace in Afghanistan. He will start his trip in Pakistan, the chief backer of the Taliban before September 11, which has used its contacts to facilitate the talks with the Taliban.

US heads to new talks with Taliban

&nbsp;A Taliban official said on Thursday that decent progress had been made at talks with a group of senior Afghan politicians in Moscow but that there had been no breakthrough and that further talks would be needed, Russian news agencies reported.

The delegation, led by chief Taliban negotiator Mullah Baradar Akhund, met politicians, including senior regional leaders and candidates challenging President Ashraf Ghani in this year`s presidential election amid gathering diplomatic efforts to end the 18-year war.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-afghan-officials-to-meet-in-moscow-for-peace-talks-222143">delegation that met a group of senior Afghan politicians&nbsp;</a>in Moscow on Tuesday, insisted&nbsp;that international forces must leave Afghanistan for peace to be agreed.

The&nbsp;Taliban, ousted by US-backed forces weeks after September&nbsp;11, 2001, attacks on the United States, refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate.

Mohammad Karim Khalili, head of the High Peace Council, the main body charged with pursuing peace efforts, said dozens of people were being killed in fighting every day and it was time for a "dignified and just mechanism" to end the bloodshed.

Taliban&nbsp;officials have been talking to US&nbsp;diplomats for months about the terms of withdrawal of more than 23,000 US and NATO coalition troops from Afghanistan and have reached a draft agreement on some issues but no new date for the next round of talks has been set and many obstacles remain.

A Taliban official said on Thursday that decent progress had been made at talks with a group of senior Afghan politicians in Moscow but that there had been no breakthrough and that further talks would be needed, Russian news agencies reported.

A Taliban official said on Thursday that decent progress had been made at talks with a group of senior Afghan politicians in Moscow but that there had been no breakthrough and that further talks would be needed, Russian news agencies reported. The delegation, led by chief Taliban negotiator Mullah Baradar Akhund, met politicians, including senior regional leaders and candidates challenging President Ashraf Ghani in this year`s presidential election amid gathering diplomatic efforts to end the 18-year war. The delegation that met a group of senior Afghan politicians in Moscow on Tuesday, insisted that international forces must leave Afghanistan for peace to be agreed. The Taliban, ousted by US-backed forces weeks after September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate. Mohammad Karim Khalili, head of the High Peace Council, the main body charged with pursuing peace efforts, said dozens of people were being killed in fighting every day and it was time for a "dignified and just mechanism" to end the bloodshed. Taliban officials have been talking to US diplomats for months about the terms of withdrawal of more than 23,000 US and NATO coalition troops from Afghanistan and have reached a draft agreement on some issues but no new date for the next round of talks has been set and many obstacles remain.

Taliban says progress made at Afghan talks in Moscow but no breakthrough

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-military-stops-tracking-key-metric-on-afghan-war-as-situation-deteriorates-214936">war in Afghanistan</a> on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal.

Afghan representatives were not allowed to attend the sixth round of US-Taliban talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group.

"There will be no other side except the US&nbsp;and Taliban representatives in the meeting, but some Qatari officials will remain present as hosts," he told Reuters.

The talks are part of President Donald Trump`s efforts to end America`s longest war, which began when US-backed forces ousted the Taliban weeks after the September&nbsp;11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Since October,<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-taliban-talks-peace-remains-a-distant-dream-for-afghanistan-213647&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqxryYmfrhAhUc8XMBHUSGCbgQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1INTrcmp2Rx3qTOPgE-vxr"> US&nbsp;and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks</a> aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US&nbsp;forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world.

In this round, US&nbsp;special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and his delegation are expected to focus on a declaration of a ceasefire as a first step to end the fighting, said a western diplomat in Kabul.

An official working closely with Khalilzad said he is expected to encourage the insurgent group to engage in Afghan-to-Afghan talks to find a political settlement to end the war.

This week, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani convened a rare grand assembly known as the Loya Jirga to set out Kabul`s conditions for peace talks with the Taliban.

The Jirga has a purely consultative function, but it carries significance in Afghan politics and society.&nbsp;

The Taliban has so far refused to talk to Kabul and have labelled the Afghan government as a "US&nbsp;puppet."

Ghani believes that backing from members of the Loya Jirga will strengthen his bid to be recognised as Afghanistan`s legitimate representative in the peace talks.

The assembly includes 3,200 tribal elders, politicians and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces.

But opposition politicians and government critics, including former president Hamid Karzai, are boycotting the meeting.

They accuse Ghani of using it as a platform to boost his status as a leader in an election year.

Omar Daudzai, Ghani`s special envoy for peace, said at the assembly he welcomed the US-Taliban talks in Qatar but Afghan voices should be heard at the negotiating table.&nbsp;

"The Loya Jirga is the rational and logical start of the peace talks," he told reporters, adding that the assembly would also examine the role of foreign powers in Afghanistan.

The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission, known as Resolute Support, that is training and assisting the Afghan government`s security forces in their battle against Taliban fighters and extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. 
&nbsp;

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year war in Afghanistan on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal.

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year war in Afghanistan on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal. Afghan representatives were not allowed to attend the sixth round of US-Taliban talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group. "There will be no other side except the US and Taliban representatives in the meeting, but some Qatari officials will remain present as hosts," he told Reuters. The talks are part of President Donald Trump`s efforts to end America`s longest war, which began when US-backed forces ousted the Taliban weeks after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Since October, US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world. In this round, US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and his delegation are expected to focus on a declaration of a ceasefire as a first step to end the fighting, said a western diplomat in Kabul. An official working closely with Khalilzad said he is expected to encourage the insurgent group to engage in Afghan-to-Afghan talks to find a political settlement to end the war. This week, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani convened a rare grand assembly known as the Loya Jirga to set out Kabul`s conditions for peace talks with the Taliban. The Jirga has a purely consultative function, but it carries significance in Afghan politics and society. The Taliban has so far refused to talk to Kabul and have labelled the Afghan government as a "US puppet." Ghani believes that backing from members of the Loya Jirga will strengthen his bid to be recognised as Afghanistan`s legitimate representative in the peace talks. The assembly includes 3,200 tribal elders, politicians and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces. But opposition politicians and government critics, including former president Hamid Karzai, are boycotting the meeting. They accuse Ghani of using it as a platform to boost his status as a leader in an election year. Omar Daudzai, Ghani`s special envoy for peace, said at the assembly he welcomed the US-Taliban talks in Qatar but Afghan voices should be heard at the negotiating table. "The Loya Jirga is the rational and logical start of the peace talks," he told reporters, adding that the assembly would also examine the role of foreign powers in Afghanistan. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission, known as Resolute Support, that is training and assisting the Afghan government`s security forces in their battle against Taliban fighters and extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

US-Taliban resume talks as Afghan government seeks role in peace process

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-gather-in-kabul-for-afghan-peace-meeting-214371/amp">high-stakes peace summit</a> that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks.

Police flooded the city and authorities blocked off key roads around the venue of the so-called "loya jirga" -- where some 3,000 tribal elders, religious figures, and politicians from across Afghanistan are gathering over four days to discuss possible conditions for a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-peace-if-taliban-do-not-adapt-us-envoy-zalmay-khalilzad-214206"> peace deal with the Taliban</a>.

Taliban suicide bombers armed with rockets and guns attacked a 2010 peace jirga at the same venue, and in 2011, two rockets were fired into Kabul during a two-day jirga.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-caliphate-collapse-jihadists-head-to-afghanistan-to-plot-attacks-214689">After 'caliphate' collapse, jihadists head to Afghanistan to plot attacks: US officials</a>

Despite such past attacks, Kabul residents are infuriated with the scale of the lockdown, which has already been blamed for at least one death and has paralysed businesses in what would ordinarily be a busy week before Ramadan begins.

Local media reported that a newborn baby died when the father, who was trying to take the infant to a hospital, was blocked by security forces.

Adding to the slowdown, authorities have declared a week-long public holiday in Kabul.

"Yesterday, I could only take two passengers from one part of the city to the other. It took me three hours to complete a 15-minute ride," Nasrullah, a taxi driver who gave only his first name, told AFP.&nbsp;

Shopkeeper Taj Mohammad said poor people had been particularly impacted.

"It is good to provide security for the participants, but that should not cost people's businesses," Mohammad said.

Siam Pasarly, an economics expert, estimated the holidays were costing the business community $1 million a day.&nbsp;

"Afghanistan is a developing country and its economic engine should be running all day," he said. "A week-long shutdown is like a poison to the economy."

The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges.

The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the peace talks which so far have cut out President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge.

But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls, and government officials including the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the assembly.&nbsp;

Ahmad Khan, another taxi driver, bemoaned the meeting as a "waste of time".

"Holding this jirga is an economic blow for poor labour like us, who come out in the morning for a morsel of food, and how can we provide food for our families in the next few days," he told AFP.

"Such jirgas have been held in the past with no positive results, and the government have failed to convince the Taliban to join the talks." 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a high-stakes peace summit that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks.

Afghanistan's usually bustling capital Kabul slowed to a crawl Tuesday amid massive security for a high-stakes peace summit that has previously been a target for insurgent attacks. Police flooded the city and authorities blocked off key roads around the venue of the so-called "loya jirga" -- where some 3,000 tribal elders, religious figures, and politicians from across Afghanistan are gathering over four days to discuss possible conditions for a peace deal with the Taliban. Taliban suicide bombers armed with rockets and guns attacked a 2010 peace jirga at the same venue, and in 2011, two rockets were fired into Kabul during a two-day jirga. Also read: After 'caliphate' collapse, jihadists head to Afghanistan to plot attacks: US officials Despite such past attacks, Kabul residents are infuriated with the scale of the lockdown, which has already been blamed for at least one death and has paralysed businesses in what would ordinarily be a busy week before Ramadan begins. Local media reported that a newborn baby died when the father, who was trying to take the infant to a hospital, was blocked by security forces. Adding to the slowdown, authorities have declared a week-long public holiday in Kabul. "Yesterday, I could only take two passengers from one part of the city to the other. It took me three hours to complete a 15-minute ride," Nasrullah, a taxi driver who gave only his first name, told AFP. Shopkeeper Taj Mohammad said poor people had been particularly impacted. "It is good to provide security for the participants, but that should not cost people's businesses," Mohammad said. Siam Pasarly, an economics expert, estimated the holidays were costing the business community $1 million a day. "Afghanistan is a developing country and its economic engine should be running all day," he said. "A week-long shutdown is like a poison to the economy." The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges. The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the peace talks which so far have cut out President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls, and government officials including the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the assembly. Ahmad Khan, another taxi driver, bemoaned the meeting as a "waste of time". "Holding this jirga is an economic blow for poor labour like us, who come out in the morning for a morsel of food, and how can we provide food for our families in the next few days," he told AFP. "Such jirgas have been held in the past with no positive results, and the government have failed to convince the Taliban to join the talks."

Kabul on lockdown as assembly discusses peace with the Taliban

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talks-in-trouble-as-taliban-slam-afghan-guest-list-211426">meeting between the Taliban and Afghan politicians</a> and civil society aimed at ending more than 17 years of war in Afghanistan has been postponed, officials and diplomats said on Thursday, citing Taliban objections to the size of the Afghan delegation.

The talks were set to begin on Friday in Doha, but a senior government official in Kabul said, "the gathering has been called off for now and details were being reworked."

Afghan delegates scheduled to fly to the Qatari capital on Thursday were told the trip was postponed and new dates were being discussed, a western diplomat in Kabul said.

"The government will have to change the composition of the delegation to make this meeting happen," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said leaders of the hardline Islamist group were uncomfortable with the size of the Afghan delegation and its composition.

"Presence of some participants was completely against the list of what was agreed upon," Mujahid told Reuters over phone, adding that the delegation included Afghans working for the government.

The Taliban has repeatedly refused to meet President Ashraf Ghani's government, which they call a puppet regime, but have held several rounds of peace talks with US officials.

Ghani said Wednesday the 250-member Afghan delegation included some government officials attending in a personal capacity. But the group did not include some of the most powerful figures in Afghan politics, who are reluctant to join forces with Ghani ahead of presidential elections due in September.

A meeting between the Taliban and Afghan politicians and civil society aimed at ending more than 17 years of war in Afghanistan has been postponed, officials and diplomats said on Thursday, citing Taliban objections to the size of the Afghan delegation.

A meeting between the Taliban and Afghan politicians and civil society aimed at ending more than 17 years of war in Afghanistan has been postponed, officials and diplomats said on Thursday, citing Taliban objections to the size of the Afghan delegation. The talks were set to begin on Friday in Doha, but a senior government official in Kabul said, "the gathering has been called off for now and details were being reworked." Afghan delegates scheduled to fly to the Qatari capital on Thursday were told the trip was postponed and new dates were being discussed, a western diplomat in Kabul said. "The government will have to change the composition of the delegation to make this meeting happen," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said leaders of the hardline Islamist group were uncomfortable with the size of the Afghan delegation and its composition. "Presence of some participants was completely against the list of what was agreed upon," Mujahid told Reuters over phone, adding that the delegation included Afghans working for the government. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to meet President Ashraf Ghani's government, which they call a puppet regime, but have held several rounds of peace talks with US officials. Ghani said Wednesday the 250-member Afghan delegation included some government officials attending in a personal capacity. But the group did not include some of the most powerful figures in Afghan politics, who are reluctant to join forces with Ghani ahead of presidential elections due in September.

Peace talks postponed as Taliban objects to size of Afghan delegation

Women will be&nbsp;taking part in the intra-Afghan <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-to-hold-peace-talks-with-taliban-in-qatar-208717&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjapuTUl9ThAhXBOY8KHfJLBIAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw20HNDiCJDOhdsfs-GhQpAt">peace talks</a> in Qatar this month, the Taliban's main spokesman said on Monday, ahead of the latest round of meetings aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan.

The April 19-21 meeting in Doha will be between the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-peace-talks-progress-is-being-made-in-qatar-with-taliban-reports-us-201426&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjapuTUl9ThAhXBOY8KHfJLBIAQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Wl2tye10c_Z-RCoCzNnQQ">Taliban </a>and a delegation comprising prominent Afghans, including opposition politicians and civil society activists. It follows similar talks between the two sides in Moscow in February.

The non-Taliban delegation that was in Moscow could be expanded next week to include some government officials, but acting in their private capacities as the insurgents have refused to hold formal talks with Kabul.

"There will be women among Taliban delegation members in the Doha, Qatar meeting," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman, said by telephone.

He did not name the women, but added, "These women have no family relationship with the senior members of the Taliban, they are normal Afghans, from inside and outside the country, who have been supporters and part of the struggle of the Islamic Emirate".

In a tweet, he specified that the women would only join the discussions with Afghan civil society and political representatives, not in the main negotiations with American officials, led by US &nbsp;special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad has not yet set dates for the next round of talks with the Taliban, a State Department spokesperson said.

"We do not have new US talks with the Taliban to announce at this time. Before additional talks, we look forward to knowing the outcome of the intra-Afghan dialogue," the spokesperson said in an email.

Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-born US diplomat, is working to secure an accord with the Taliban on a US troop pullout, measures to prevent al Qaeda and other extremists from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks, a ceasefire and inter-Afghan talks that include the government on the country`s political future.

The Taliban have rejected formal talks with the government, which they dismiss as a "puppet" regime controlled by the United States.

While Afghanistan remains a deeply conservative country, especially in rural areas, there have been major advances in women`s rights since the US-led campaign of 2001 that toppled the Taliban government.

Fawzia Koofi, a former member of parliament who took part in the meetings in Moscow, said the presence of women in the Taliban team was a "good step".

"Only women can feel the pain and miseries that Afghan women have suffered. The presence of women among the Taliban negotiators shows that the Taliban`s ideology has changed."

Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, who has been pressing for women to play a role in the peace talks said the process should be inclusive.

Future international support for Afghanistan could be affected by whether women`s rights were properly respected in any settlement, she said.

"There are certain levers that we have, that the Taliban are interested in," she told reporters in Kabul, where she was visiting as part of a Congressional delegation.

"There is going to be an interest in economic support after the conflict ends."

"I think if the Taliban has any interest in getting international support ... it would be in their interest to recognise the importance of including women and including human rights as part of any settlement that happens."

Women will be taking part in the intra-Afghan peace talks in Qatar this month, the Taliban's main spokesman said on Monday, ahead of the latest round of meetings aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan.

Women will be taking part in the intra-Afghan peace talks in Qatar this month, the Taliban's main spokesman said on Monday, ahead of the latest round of meetings aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan. The April 19-21 meeting in Doha will be between the Taliban and a delegation comprising prominent Afghans, including opposition politicians and civil society activists. It follows similar talks between the two sides in Moscow in February. The non-Taliban delegation that was in Moscow could be expanded next week to include some government officials, but acting in their private capacities as the insurgents have refused to hold formal talks with Kabul. "There will be women among Taliban delegation members in the Doha, Qatar meeting," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman, said by telephone. He did not name the women, but added, "These women have no family relationship with the senior members of the Taliban, they are normal Afghans, from inside and outside the country, who have been supporters and part of the struggle of the Islamic Emirate". In a tweet, he specified that the women would only join the discussions with Afghan civil society and political representatives, not in the main negotiations with American officials, led by US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Khalilzad has not yet set dates for the next round of talks with the Taliban, a State Department spokesperson said. "We do not have new US talks with the Taliban to announce at this time. Before additional talks, we look forward to knowing the outcome of the intra-Afghan dialogue," the spokesperson said in an email. Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-born US diplomat, is working to secure an accord with the Taliban on a US troop pullout, measures to prevent al Qaeda and other extremists from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks, a ceasefire and inter-Afghan talks that include the government on the country`s political future. The Taliban have rejected formal talks with the government, which they dismiss as a "puppet" regime controlled by the United States. While Afghanistan remains a deeply conservative country, especially in rural areas, there have been major advances in women`s rights since the US-led campaign of 2001 that toppled the Taliban government. Fawzia Koofi, a former member of parliament who took part in the meetings in Moscow, said the presence of women in the Taliban team was a "good step". "Only women can feel the pain and miseries that Afghan women have suffered. The presence of women among the Taliban negotiators shows that the Taliban`s ideology has changed." Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, who has been pressing for women to play a role in the peace talks said the process should be inclusive. Future international support for Afghanistan could be affected by whether women`s rights were properly respected in any settlement, she said. "There are certain levers that we have, that the Taliban are interested in," she told reporters in Kabul, where she was visiting as part of a Congressional delegation. "There is going to be an interest in economic support after the conflict ends." "I think if the Taliban has any interest in getting international support ... it would be in their interest to recognise the importance of including women and including human rights as part of any settlement that happens."

Women to take part in intra-Afghan peace talks in Qatar: Taliban spokesman

The next round of Afghanistan Peace Talks will take place in Qatar in week. More importantly, women will be part of the Peace Talks for the first time in the war-torn country.

WION Gravitas: Women to attend Afghanistan peace talks

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US&nbsp;diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US&nbsp;officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday.

The decision to end US&nbsp;contacts with Hamdullah Mohib will almost certainly raise tensions between the allies over Kabul's exclusion from negotiations that have mainly focussed on a US&nbsp;troop pullout and how the Taliban would stop militant groups from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks.

Mohib had launched a blistering public attack last Thursday on the chief US&nbsp;negotiator, Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad.

The following day, US&nbsp;Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale told Ghani by phone that Mohib would no longer be received in Washington and US&nbsp;civilian and military officials would not do business with him, the sources said.

"Hale called Ghani and told him that Mohib is no longer welcome in DC&nbsp;The US&nbsp;will not deal with him in Kabul or in DC&nbsp;any more," said a former senior Afghan official, who like the other sources requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

Kabul fears that Washington is intent on finalising a US&nbsp;troop pullout to fulfil a vow by President Donald Trump, undermining its ability to reach a political pact with the

Taliban that preserves gains, such as women's education, won since the 2001 US&nbsp;invasion ended the militants'&nbsp;harsh version of Islamic rule.

The former Afghan official said he saw the move as an effort to compel Ghani to "oust" Mohib, who became the president's national security adviser after serving as his envoy to Washington.&nbsp;

A second source, a congressional aide, agreed that pressuring Ghani to end contacts with Mohib was "one way of looking at this" because the State Department provides funding for the Afghan president's national security council staff.

The State Department declined to comment. The Afghan embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Simmering tensions over the Afghan government's exclusion from the US-Taliban talks in Doha, Qatar, erupted with Mohib's attack on Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US&nbsp;diplomat, at a news conference in Washington.

He accused Khalilzad of giving the Taliban legitimacy while "delegitimising the Afghan government." He added that Khalilzad perhaps was trying to create "a caretaker government of which he would then become viceroy."

Viceroy was the title of the colonial administrator of British-ruled India.

The State Department responded with a strong statement quoting Hale as telling Mohib later Thursday that his comments "only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process."

The latest round of peace talks ended on March 11 after 16 days. The sides reported progress, but no accord on withdrawal of US-led international forces and the Taliban's counter-extremist assurances.

US&nbsp;negotiators also are pressing the insurgents to accept a ceasefire and talks with Afghan society representatives, including government officials. The Taliban have refused to talk to Ghani's government, which they deride as a US&nbsp;puppet.

In an interview on Monday with Reuters, Afghanistan's ambassador to Qatar, Faizullah Kakar, said that another country should not be negotiating on the use of Afghan territory by militants.

"It is the government that should be deciding, whoever the government is, that the territory is used or not used against another country," he said.&nbsp;

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday.

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday. The decision to end US contacts with Hamdullah Mohib will almost certainly raise tensions between the allies over Kabul's exclusion from negotiations that have mainly focussed on a US troop pullout and how the Taliban would stop militant groups from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks. Mohib had launched a blistering public attack last Thursday on the chief US negotiator, Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad. The following day, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale told Ghani by phone that Mohib would no longer be received in Washington and US civilian and military officials would not do business with him, the sources said. "Hale called Ghani and told him that Mohib is no longer welcome in DC The US will not deal with him in Kabul or in DC any more," said a former senior Afghan official, who like the other sources requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity. Kabul fears that Washington is intent on finalising a US troop pullout to fulfil a vow by President Donald Trump, undermining its ability to reach a political pact with the Taliban that preserves gains, such as women's education, won since the 2001 US invasion ended the militants' harsh version of Islamic rule. The former Afghan official said he saw the move as an effort to compel Ghani to "oust" Mohib, who became the president's national security adviser after serving as his envoy to Washington. A second source, a congressional aide, agreed that pressuring Ghani to end contacts with Mohib was "one way of looking at this" because the State Department provides funding for the Afghan president's national security council staff. The State Department declined to comment. The Afghan embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Simmering tensions over the Afghan government's exclusion from the US-Taliban talks in Doha, Qatar, erupted with Mohib's attack on Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US diplomat, at a news conference in Washington. He accused Khalilzad of giving the Taliban legitimacy while "delegitimising the Afghan government." He added that Khalilzad perhaps was trying to create "a caretaker government of which he would then become viceroy." Viceroy was the title of the colonial administrator of British-ruled India. The State Department responded with a strong statement quoting Hale as telling Mohib later Thursday that his comments "only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process." The latest round of peace talks ended on March 11 after 16 days. The sides reported progress, but no accord on withdrawal of US-led international forces and the Taliban's counter-extremist assurances. US negotiators also are pressing the insurgents to accept a ceasefire and talks with Afghan society representatives, including government officials. The Taliban have refused to talk to Ghani's government, which they deride as a US puppet. In an interview on Monday with Reuters, Afghanistan's ambassador to Qatar, Faizullah Kakar, said that another country should not be negotiating on the use of Afghan territory by militants. "It is the government that should be deciding, whoever the government is, that the territory is used or not used against another country," he said.

US freezes out top Afghan official in peace talks feud: Report

Progress in U.S -Taliban peace talks

The Trump administration wants to ensure that Afghanistan is never used as a safe haven for terrorists, Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has told President Ashraf Ghani during his surprise visit to the war-torn country to lead a push for<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-khalilzad-in-taliban-talks-seeks-peace-deal-before-afghanistans-presidential-elections-196133"> peace talks with the Taliban.</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-calls-recent-afghanistan-peace-talks-with-us-successful-report-195440">Shanahan held talks with Ghani </a>at the Presidential Palace on Monday to reaffirm his commitment to Afghanistan through the implementation of President Trump's South Asia strategy.

"The leaders discussed a broad range of defence issues, including the importance of the US-Afghanistan security relationship and of achieving a political settlement to the war that ensures Afghanistan is never again used as a safe haven from which terrorists can plan and launch terrorist attacks against the United States, our interests, and our allies," said Pentagon Spokesperson Cmdr Sean Robertson.

During the meeting, Shanahan praised the sacrifices made by Afghan and Coalition troops and reaffirmed America's continued support to Afghan forces as they lead the fight to defend their country.

Shanahan made a surprise trip to Afghanistan on Monday, his first-ever visit to the country where US troops have been stationed for 17 years.

President Donald Trump reportedly wants to cut in half the 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan, and the Taliban leaders have made a US withdrawal a key condition in peace negotiations.

Shanahan told reporters on Monday that he had no orders to reduce the American troop presence. He said that while the US had a key role to play, it is ultimately up to Afghans to find peace.

"The Afghans have to decide what Afghanistan looks like. It's not about the US, it's about Afghanistan," he said.

The Acting Defense chief's visit comes after the US held major talks with the Taliban officials in Qatar last month in an attempt to end the 17-year conflict.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading the talks, has expressed hope of finding a deal before Afghan presidential elections scheduled for July.

In a series of tweets after six days of talks with the Taliban representatives in Doha last month, Khalilzad said the US has made "significant progress" in its peace talks with the Taliban.

"We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement. The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals," Khalilzad said at the time.

Since being appointed in September, Khalilzad has met with all sides in an attempt to end America's longest war in which the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers.

The US is expected to start the second round of talks with Taliban officials on February 25 in Qatar, where they have their political office.

The Afghan Taliban, however, has said that despite the ongoing talks with the US and other regional powers, it had "not yet reached" any conclusion that would entail an immediate end to hostilities against America and its allies.

The Taliban are holding talks with the United States "on their own initiative", Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid was recently quoted as saying by a TV channel.

The Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since the 2001 US-led invasion after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said that the US should continue supporting the Afghan government financially and diplomatically after leaving and include them in the peace process.

"We should continue supporting the Afghan government financially and diplomatically after leaving and include them in the peace process. The Afghans must eventually earn domestic legitimacy themselves, though," he said in an op-ed in USA Today.

Khanna said the biggest threat to democracy was not the Taliban, but staying economically competitive with authoritarian superpowers like China.

Responding to critics who argue that after the US withdrawal the Taliban might steamroll the Afghan government and then harbour terrorists, Khanna said preventing that outcome did not require a permanent US troop presence.

"Deterrence works. The Taliban should understand that the United States will use overwhelming force again if they harbour terrorists who directly threaten our homeland. Moreover, other 'ungoverned territories' exist where terrorists can operate. There, we conduct counterterrorism from the air without troop deployment," Khanna said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration wants to ensure that Afghanistan is never used as a safe haven for terrorists, Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has told President Ashraf Ghani during his surprise visit to the war-torn country to lead a push for peace talks with the Taliban.

The Trump administration wants to ensure that Afghanistan is never used as a safe haven for terrorists, Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has told President Ashraf Ghani during his surprise visit to the war-torn country to lead a push for peace talks with the Taliban. Shanahan held talks with Ghani at the Presidential Palace on Monday to reaffirm his commitment to Afghanistan through the implementation of President Trump's South Asia strategy. "The leaders discussed a broad range of defence issues, including the importance of the US-Afghanistan security relationship and of achieving a political settlement to the war that ensures Afghanistan is never again used as a safe haven from which terrorists can plan and launch terrorist attacks against the United States, our interests, and our allies," said Pentagon Spokesperson Cmdr Sean Robertson. During the meeting, Shanahan praised the sacrifices made by Afghan and Coalition troops and reaffirmed America's continued support to Afghan forces as they lead the fight to defend their country. Shanahan made a surprise trip to Afghanistan on Monday, his first-ever visit to the country where US troops have been stationed for 17 years. President Donald Trump reportedly wants to cut in half the 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan, and the Taliban leaders have made a US withdrawal a key condition in peace negotiations. Shanahan told reporters on Monday that he had no orders to reduce the American troop presence. He said that while the US had a key role to play, it is ultimately up to Afghans to find peace. "The Afghans have to decide what Afghanistan looks like. It's not about the US, it's about Afghanistan," he said. The Acting Defense chief's visit comes after the US held major talks with the Taliban officials in Qatar last month in an attempt to end the 17-year conflict. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading the talks, has expressed hope of finding a deal before Afghan presidential elections scheduled for July. In a series of tweets after six days of talks with the Taliban representatives in Doha last month, Khalilzad said the US has made "significant progress" in its peace talks with the Taliban. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement. The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals," Khalilzad said at the time. Since being appointed in September, Khalilzad has met with all sides in an attempt to end America's longest war in which the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers. The US is expected to start the second round of talks with Taliban officials on February 25 in Qatar, where they have their political office. The Afghan Taliban, however, has said that despite the ongoing talks with the US and other regional powers, it had "not yet reached" any conclusion that would entail an immediate end to hostilities against America and its allies. The Taliban are holding talks with the United States "on their own initiative", Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid was recently quoted as saying by a TV channel. The Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan and are more powerful than at any time since the 2001 US-led invasion after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said that the US should continue supporting the Afghan government financially and diplomatically after leaving and include them in the peace process. "We should continue supporting the Afghan government financially and diplomatically after leaving and include them in the peace process. The Afghans must eventually earn domestic legitimacy themselves, though," he said in an op-ed in USA Today. Khanna said the biggest threat to democracy was not the Taliban, but staying economically competitive with authoritarian superpowers like China. Responding to critics who argue that after the US withdrawal the Taliban might steamroll the Afghan government and then harbour terrorists, Khanna said preventing that outcome did not require a permanent US troop presence. "Deterrence works. The Taliban should understand that the United States will use overwhelming force again if they harbour terrorists who directly threaten our homeland. Moreover, other 'ungoverned territories' exist where terrorists can operate. There, we conduct counterterrorism from the air without troop deployment," Khanna said.

US wants to ensure, Afghanistan is not used as safe heaven for terrorists: Shanahan to Ghani

Russia is ready to help the United States advance its negotiations with the Taliban on withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, the RIA news agency cited Russia`s foreign ministry as saying on Thursday.&nbsp;

The comments came a day after Russia hosted peace talks in Moscow between the Taliban and opposition Afghan politicians.&nbsp;

A Taliban official at the talks said no timetable had been agreed with the US government for the partial withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, and that negotiations were underway.

Russia is ready to help the United States advance its negotiations with the Taliban on withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, the RIA news agency cited Russia`s foreign ministry as saying on Thursday.

Russia is ready to help the United States advance its negotiations with the Taliban on withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, the RIA news agency cited Russia`s foreign ministry as saying on Thursday. The comments came a day after Russia hosted peace talks in Moscow between the Taliban and opposition Afghan politicians. A Taliban official at the talks said no timetable had been agreed with the US government for the partial withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, and that negotiations were underway.

Russia offers to help US on Afghan peace talks with Taliban: RIA

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country.

Talks "are proceeding well," Trump wrote on Twitter. He did not address any possible peace accord with the Taliban or the presence of US troops in Afghanistan.

On Monday, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times that the United States and the insurgent group had sketched the outlines of an eventual peace deal. Analysts, however, said there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to US demands.

A US State Department spokesman said this week the talks had been "positive" but that no agreement had been reached.

The Trump administration has moved toward withdrawals of US forces after years of overseas deployments. A US official said last month that Trump planned to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

But Trump's fellow Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday offered legislation urging the United States to keep troops in Afghanistan as well as Syria, although it was uncertain whether it would become law

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country.

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country. Talks "are proceeding well," Trump wrote on Twitter. He did not address any possible peace accord with the Taliban or the presence of US troops in Afghanistan. On Monday, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times that the United States and the insurgent group had sketched the outlines of an eventual peace deal. Analysts, however, said there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to US demands. A US State Department spokesman said this week the talks had been "positive" but that no agreement had been reached. The Trump administration has moved toward withdrawals of US forces after years of overseas deployments. A US official said last month that Trump planned to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan. But Trump's fellow Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday offered legislation urging the United States to keep troops in Afghanistan as well as Syria, although it was uncertain whether it would become law

Trump says Afghanistan talks 'proceeding well'

The strength of the embattled<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghans-hope-for-peace-but-fear-bloodshed-as-us-taliban-talk-193222"> Afghan</a> defence forces has declined to its lowest level in four years, a US watchdog said on Thursday, as talks between Washington and the Taliban continue over the possible withdrawal of foreign troops.

The negotiations, due to resume in Qatar on February 25, are centred on a possible ceasefire and the withdrawal of thousands of US-led NATO forces. Many obstacles remain before that would be possible but an eventual pullout would place the Afghan defence forces under even more pressure.

The latest quarterly report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) noted that the control of Afghanistan's territory and population "became somewhat more contested (and) Afghan government control or influence continued to decline".

It put districts under government control or influence at 53.8 per cent covering 63.5 per cent of the population by October 2018, with the rest of the country controlled or contested by the Taliban.

The hardline Islamist group has been unable to seize a major Afghan city but has stepped up the pressure in rural areas and is now more powerful than any at other time since they were toppled by US-backed Afghan forces in late 2001.

SIGAR cited a US Forces-Afghanistan report that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces had decreased to 308,693 troops, or 87.7 per cent of its assigned strength, the lowest since the creation of NATO's operation to train, advise and assist Afghans in January 2015.

The United States has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission and a separate counter-terrorism effort largely directed at groups such as al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Some 8,000 troops from 38 other countries also participate in Resolute Support.

The report did not detail the reasons for the decreasing numbers and the Afghan government does not publish casualty figures. However, security analysts say that re-enlistment and unauthorised absences remain major problems.

President Ashraf Ghani said in Switzerland last week 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014, a figure analyst said helped explain morale problems.

"That number indicates that in those roughly 53 months, around 849 Afghan security personnel have been killed per month on average," SIGAR said.

SIGAR also released figures suggesting the recruitment and retention of women in the national defence and security forces was a significant challenge.

Citing information declassified by US Forces-Afghanistan, SIGAR said Afghan forces had 4,735 female personnel - less than 2 per cent of currently assigned strength.

 
&nbsp;

The strength of the embattled Afghan defence forces has declined to its lowest level in four years, a US watchdog said on Thursday, as talks between Washington and the Taliban continue over the possible withdrawal of foreign troops.

The strength of the embattled Afghan defence forces has declined to its lowest level in four years, a US watchdog said on Thursday, as talks between Washington and the Taliban continue over the possible withdrawal of foreign troops. The negotiations, due to resume in Qatar on February 25, are centred on a possible ceasefire and the withdrawal of thousands of US-led NATO forces. Many obstacles remain before that would be possible but an eventual pullout would place the Afghan defence forces under even more pressure. The latest quarterly report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) noted that the control of Afghanistan's territory and population "became somewhat more contested (and) Afghan government control or influence continued to decline". It put districts under government control or influence at 53.8 per cent covering 63.5 per cent of the population by October 2018, with the rest of the country controlled or contested by the Taliban. The hardline Islamist group has been unable to seize a major Afghan city but has stepped up the pressure in rural areas and is now more powerful than any at other time since they were toppled by US-backed Afghan forces in late 2001. SIGAR cited a US Forces-Afghanistan report that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces had decreased to 308,693 troops, or 87.7 per cent of its assigned strength, the lowest since the creation of NATO's operation to train, advise and assist Afghans in January 2015. The United States has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission and a separate counter-terrorism effort largely directed at groups such as al Qaeda and Islamic State. Some 8,000 troops from 38 other countries also participate in Resolute Support. The report did not detail the reasons for the decreasing numbers and the Afghan government does not publish casualty figures. However, security analysts say that re-enlistment and unauthorised absences remain major problems. President Ashraf Ghani said in Switzerland last week 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014, a figure analyst said helped explain morale problems. "That number indicates that in those roughly 53 months, around 849 Afghan security personnel have been killed per month on average," SIGAR said. SIGAR also released figures suggesting the recruitment and retention of women in the national defence and security forces was a significant challenge. Citing information declassified by US Forces-Afghanistan, SIGAR said Afghan forces had 4,735 female personnel - less than 2 per cent of currently assigned strength.

Watchdog shows Afghan defence forces declining as peace talks edge forward

Russia`s special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss the Afghan peace process, in the wake of the US and Taliban agreeing on a framework deal to end the 17-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

The diplomat is visiting the country following Russia’s wish to discuss the Afghan peace process.&nbsp;

He was met by senior officials of the Foreign Office and Russian Embassy, Pakistan Today reported.

He will hold talks with Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership at the Foreign OfficeThe visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin`s special envoy for Afghanistan comes in the wake of last week’s marathon talks between US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban in Qatar.

The United States and Taliban have agreed in principle to chalk out a framework for a deal that could eventually end the 17-year old conflict in Afghanistan.

Khalilzad, in an interview to the New York Times, said the United States and the Taliban have agreed in principle on a framework for a peace deal.

According to the peace deal, the Taliban would guarantee that Afghanistan will never be used as a base for terrorism in return for a full American withdrawal from the country.

Last month, Russian Ambassador in Pakistan Alexey Dedov had said that Pakistan’s commitment and efforts for regional peace and stability are highlighted by the country’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor with India.

The Kartarpur Corridor will provide visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims from India.

Russia`s special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss the Afghan peace process, in the wake of the US and Taliban agreeing on a framework deal to end the 17-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

Russia`s special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss the Afghan peace process, in the wake of the US and Taliban agreeing on a framework deal to end the 17-year-old conflict in Afghanistan. The diplomat is visiting the country following Russia’s wish to discuss the Afghan peace process. He was met by senior officials of the Foreign Office and Russian Embassy, Pakistan Today reported. He will hold talks with Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership at the Foreign OfficeThe visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin`s special envoy for Afghanistan comes in the wake of last week’s marathon talks between US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban in Qatar. The United States and Taliban have agreed in principle to chalk out a framework for a deal that could eventually end the 17-year old conflict in Afghanistan. Khalilzad, in an interview to the New York Times, said the United States and the Taliban have agreed in principle on a framework for a peace deal. According to the peace deal, the Taliban would guarantee that Afghanistan will never be used as a base for terrorism in return for a full American withdrawal from the country. Last month, Russian Ambassador in Pakistan Alexey Dedov had said that Pakistan’s commitment and efforts for regional peace and stability are highlighted by the country’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor with India. The Kartarpur Corridor will provide visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims from India.

Putin's envoy in Pakistan to discuss Afghan peace process

Another round of peace talks between Afghanistan`s Taliban and the United States is tentatively set for February 25, a Qatari foreign ministry official said on Sunday, after a draft pact was reached to potentially end the United States` longest war.

"Both parties agreed tentatively to reconvene on February 25th," the official told Reuters.

The draft deal, agreed after six days of talks last week, stipulates that US troops would leave within 18 months of the agreement being signed, potentially ending the war more than 17 years after American-led forces invaded Afghanistan.

According to Taliban sources, the hardline Islamic group gave assurances that Afghanistan will not be allowed to be used by al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants to attack the United States and its allies - a key early demand of Washington.

The reported progress comes as the Taliban continues to stage near-daily attacks against the Western-backed Afghan government and its security forces.

Despite the presence of US-led foreign forces training, advising and assisting their Afghan counterparts, the Taliban controls nearly half of Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

Another round of peace talks between Afghanistan`s Taliban and the United States is tentatively set for February 25, a Qatari foreign ministry official said on Sunday, after a draft pact was reached to potentially end the United States` longest war.

Another round of peace talks between Afghanistan`s Taliban and the United States is tentatively set for February 25, a Qatari foreign ministry official said on Sunday, after a draft pact was reached to potentially end the United States` longest war. "Both parties agreed tentatively to reconvene on February 25th," the official told Reuters. The draft deal, agreed after six days of talks last week, stipulates that US troops would leave within 18 months of the agreement being signed, potentially ending the war more than 17 years after American-led forces invaded Afghanistan. According to Taliban sources, the hardline Islamic group gave assurances that Afghanistan will not be allowed to be used by al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants to attack the United States and its allies - a key early demand of Washington. The reported progress comes as the Taliban continues to stage near-daily attacks against the Western-backed Afghan government and its security forces. Despite the presence of US-led foreign forces training, advising and assisting their Afghan counterparts, the Taliban controls nearly half of Afghanistan.

Next round of Afghanistan talks tentatively set for February 25

More than 17 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan, Washington and the Taliban appear closer than ever to some sort of agreement that could bring the insurgents to the table for peace talks.

However with the withdrawal of US troops seen as part of the deal, fears are rising about what an American exit could mean for Afghanistan, with security forces taking staggering losses, the government facing election upheaval, and civilians paying a disproportionate price after nearly two decades of bloodshed.&nbsp;

Here is a rundown of the status of the talks and what can be expected in the future.

What has happened so far?

The US and Taliban representatives have held several rounds of negotiations in recent months, part of a diplomatic push to get the insurgents to agree to peace talks.&nbsp;

The latest session ended in Qatar on Saturday after six straight days of negotiations — the longest consecutive sit-down between the two sides to date.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan — the only countries to recognise the Taliban regime of the late 1990s — have also all participated in the talks, but the Afghan government has complained of being cut out of them. &nbsp;

The militants are negotiating from a position of strength: they have the upper hand on the battlefield, and US President Donald Trump's reported eagerness to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan is weighing heavy on the discussions.

What is the goal of the talks?

Ostensibly to find a way to bring the Taliban to the table for peace negotiations with the government in Kabul to end the Afghan conflict.

Doing so would require some movement on longstanding demands from both sides. For the Taliban, that includes a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in Afghanistan, while the US is seeking promises that Afghanistan will not be used again as a base for militants to launch attacks on foreign countries.

Other issues include a potential ceasefire, a prisoners exchange, and ways to bring the Taliban into the political mainstream without undermining the legitimacy of the elected government in Kabul.&nbsp;

The Taliban is widely believed to want a return to power in Afghanistan and to reimpose shariah law, although there is some uncertainty over whether they might loosen their hardline stance after a US exit.

What have they decided?

Nothing yet. But it is believed the US and Taliban have come closer to an agreement than ever before. For now, the two sides have agreed to keep talking.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is heading the initiative for Washington, appeared upbeat, saying late Saturday that the talks were "more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues".

But he added: "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and 'everything' must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire."

The Taliban also cited progress, though spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said reports of an 18-month withdrawal plan and a ceasefire are "not true".

What happens next?

Khalilzad has said he is returning to Kabul for consultations and is likely hold a range of meetings with the Afghan government.

The Taliban have said they are planning to "share details of the meetings and receive guidance" from their leaders before moving forward, and vowed to resume "similar future meetings".

More talks are expected soon, but neither side has given any clarity on when, or when a deal might be announced.&nbsp;

Even if one is reached in the near future, it will only be the beginning of a peace process. A withdrawal would need to be managed carefully to prevent the collapse of Afghan security forces, and any negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government could take months, if not years.&nbsp;

What does it mean for future peace?

"There are too many unknowns... this is just a beginning," analyst Borhan Osman told AFP. "Nobody should underestimate the complexity and delicacy of the way forward from here."

The major sticking point remains the Taliban's flat refusal to speak with the Afghan government, whom the insurgents brand as "puppets" of the West.

Even if the US and Taliban can agree on a mechanism that would bring the militants to the table with Kabul, however, then any specifics will be the subject of "thorny negotiations, in a long battle of wills among more stakeholders than the Taliban and the US", Osman warned.

Last year Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered a peace plan which encompassed a ceasefire and called for bringing the Taliban into the political mainstream.

However, the Taliban's response was lukewarm at the time and experts said they had no reason to expect that stance to change.

"The Taliban will not agree to a power-sharing deal," Afghan analyst Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen told AFP.

A US exit without some sort of rapport between the Taliban and Kabul could be disastrous.&nbsp;

There are fears that Afghan security forces — already taking what experts have described as "unsustainable" losses — could break down along ethnic lines, unleashing an even bloodier civil war or even ushering in the return of a Taliban regime. 
&nbsp;

More than 17 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan, Washington and the Taliban appear closer than ever to some sort of agreement that could bring the insurgents to the table for peace talks.

More than 17 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan, Washington and the Taliban appear closer than ever to some sort of agreement that could bring the insurgents to the table for peace talks. However with the withdrawal of US troops seen as part of the deal, fears are rising about what an American exit could mean for Afghanistan, with security forces taking staggering losses, the government facing election upheaval, and civilians paying a disproportionate price after nearly two decades of bloodshed. Here is a rundown of the status of the talks and what can be expected in the future. What has happened so far? The US and Taliban representatives have held several rounds of negotiations in recent months, part of a diplomatic push to get the insurgents to agree to peace talks. The latest session ended in Qatar on Saturday after six straight days of negotiations — the longest consecutive sit-down between the two sides to date. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan — the only countries to recognise the Taliban regime of the late 1990s — have also all participated in the talks, but the Afghan government has complained of being cut out of them. The militants are negotiating from a position of strength: they have the upper hand on the battlefield, and US President Donald Trump's reported eagerness to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan is weighing heavy on the discussions. What is the goal of the talks? Ostensibly to find a way to bring the Taliban to the table for peace negotiations with the government in Kabul to end the Afghan conflict. Doing so would require some movement on longstanding demands from both sides. For the Taliban, that includes a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in Afghanistan, while the US is seeking promises that Afghanistan will not be used again as a base for militants to launch attacks on foreign countries. Other issues include a potential ceasefire, a prisoners exchange, and ways to bring the Taliban into the political mainstream without undermining the legitimacy of the elected government in Kabul. The Taliban is widely believed to want a return to power in Afghanistan and to reimpose shariah law, although there is some uncertainty over whether they might loosen their hardline stance after a US exit. What have they decided? Nothing yet. But it is believed the US and Taliban have come closer to an agreement than ever before. For now, the two sides have agreed to keep talking. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is heading the initiative for Washington, appeared upbeat, saying late Saturday that the talks were "more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues". But he added: "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and 'everything' must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire." The Taliban also cited progress, though spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said reports of an 18-month withdrawal plan and a ceasefire are "not true". What happens next? Khalilzad has said he is returning to Kabul for consultations and is likely hold a range of meetings with the Afghan government. The Taliban have said they are planning to "share details of the meetings and receive guidance" from their leaders before moving forward, and vowed to resume "similar future meetings". More talks are expected soon, but neither side has given any clarity on when, or when a deal might be announced. Even if one is reached in the near future, it will only be the beginning of a peace process. A withdrawal would need to be managed carefully to prevent the collapse of Afghan security forces, and any negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government could take months, if not years. What does it mean for future peace? "There are too many unknowns... this is just a beginning," analyst Borhan Osman told AFP. "Nobody should underestimate the complexity and delicacy of the way forward from here." The major sticking point remains the Taliban's flat refusal to speak with the Afghan government, whom the insurgents brand as "puppets" of the West. Even if the US and Taliban can agree on a mechanism that would bring the militants to the table with Kabul, however, then any specifics will be the subject of "thorny negotiations, in a long battle of wills among more stakeholders than the Taliban and the US", Osman warned. Last year Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered a peace plan which encompassed a ceasefire and called for bringing the Taliban into the political mainstream. However, the Taliban's response was lukewarm at the time and experts said they had no reason to expect that stance to change. "The Taliban will not agree to a power-sharing deal," Afghan analyst Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen told AFP. A US exit without some sort of rapport between the Taliban and Kabul could be disastrous. There are fears that Afghan security forces — already taking what experts have described as "unsustainable" losses — could break down along ethnic lines, unleashing an even bloodier civil war or even ushering in the return of a Taliban regime.

US-Taliban talks: As hopes rise of a deal, what comes next?

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Sunday to try to secure cooperation from Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani after breakthroughs in peace negotiations with Taliban leaders in Qatar.

With Khalilzad and his boss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well Taliban officials, hailing progress towards ending America's longest war, he must now win over President Ashraf Ghani -- whose government the Taliban have so far kept out of the process.

Six days of talks ended in Qatar on Saturday with key parts of a draft pact mapped out, including an 18-month timeline for the withdrawal of foreign troops after the completion of a deal, according to Taliban officials.

The draft also includes assurances from the hardline Islamic group that it will not allow Afghanistan to be used by al-Qaeda and Islamic State to attack the US&nbsp;and its allies - a core U.S. demand. Similar assurances involving other groups are given to Pakistan in the draft pact.

The Taliban also want to be part of an interim government after any ceasefire, Taliban sources said.

It was not clear whether the draft described by the Taliban sources was acceptable to both sides or when it could be completed and signed.

A fresh round of talks between Khalilzad and the Taliban is expected to take place on February 25 in Doha, two senior Taliban sources said.

While he has not been directly involved up until now, Ghani's role is likely to grow as a full deal gets closer and diplomacy intensifies.

Without going into detail on Saturday night, Khalilzad said in tweets that nothing could be agreed without an intra-Afghan dialogue and a full ceasefire.

"He (Khalilzad) will inform Ghani and his officials about all the developments, seek their opinion before travelling back to Washington," a senior Afghan official said on conditions of anonymity.

Khalilzad is also due to brief top regional diplomats on Monday morning.

Ghani's options

Western diplomats describe Ghani as being in a tight spot, with no authority to decide on the troop departure and the final decision to declare the ceasefire resting with the Taliban.

He, however, does enjoy the power to decide to support an interim government rather than push for presidential elections which could prove to be a distraction to the peace effort.

So far he has rejected talk of an interim government. "It is time for Ghani to choose between elections or peace process," said a western diplomat based in Kabul.

Despite the progress on a pact, violence is widely expected to continue, with the Taliban mounting daily attacks against the Afghan government and its security forces.

The Taliban now control about half of Afghanistan's territory and Ghani said in Switzerland last week that 45,000 members of the country's security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014.

A former Taliban leader said despite an agreement for an 18-month withdrawal, he predicted intense fighting ahead.

"I think Taliban won't stop their fight until they get 100 per cent sure that foreign forces are leaving Afghanistan," said Sayed Mohammad Akbar Agha, who heads Ways to Save Afghanistan, an independent group run by tribal elders and religious scholars working towards securing peace.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Sunday to try to secure cooperation from Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani after breakthroughs in peace negotiations with Taliban leaders in Qatar.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Sunday to try to secure cooperation from Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani after breakthroughs in peace negotiations with Taliban leaders in Qatar. With Khalilzad and his boss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well Taliban officials, hailing progress towards ending America's longest war, he must now win over President Ashraf Ghani -- whose government the Taliban have so far kept out of the process. Six days of talks ended in Qatar on Saturday with key parts of a draft pact mapped out, including an 18-month timeline for the withdrawal of foreign troops after the completion of a deal, according to Taliban officials. The draft also includes assurances from the hardline Islamic group that it will not allow Afghanistan to be used by al-Qaeda and Islamic State to attack the US and its allies - a core U.S. demand. Similar assurances involving other groups are given to Pakistan in the draft pact. The Taliban also want to be part of an interim government after any ceasefire, Taliban sources said. It was not clear whether the draft described by the Taliban sources was acceptable to both sides or when it could be completed and signed. A fresh round of talks between Khalilzad and the Taliban is expected to take place on February 25 in Doha, two senior Taliban sources said. While he has not been directly involved up until now, Ghani's role is likely to grow as a full deal gets closer and diplomacy intensifies. Without going into detail on Saturday night, Khalilzad said in tweets that nothing could be agreed without an intra-Afghan dialogue and a full ceasefire. "He (Khalilzad) will inform Ghani and his officials about all the developments, seek their opinion before travelling back to Washington," a senior Afghan official said on conditions of anonymity. Khalilzad is also due to brief top regional diplomats on Monday morning. Ghani's options Western diplomats describe Ghani as being in a tight spot, with no authority to decide on the troop departure and the final decision to declare the ceasefire resting with the Taliban. He, however, does enjoy the power to decide to support an interim government rather than push for presidential elections which could prove to be a distraction to the peace effort. So far he has rejected talk of an interim government. "It is time for Ghani to choose between elections or peace process," said a western diplomat based in Kabul. Despite the progress on a pact, violence is widely expected to continue, with the Taliban mounting daily attacks against the Afghan government and its security forces. The Taliban now control about half of Afghanistan's territory and Ghani said in Switzerland last week that 45,000 members of the country's security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014. A former Taliban leader said despite an agreement for an 18-month withdrawal, he predicted intense fighting ahead. "I think Taliban won't stop their fight until they get 100 per cent sure that foreign forces are leaving Afghanistan," said Sayed Mohammad Akbar Agha, who heads Ways to Save Afghanistan, an independent group run by tribal elders and religious scholars working towards securing peace.

US peace envoy visits Kabul to consult Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on talks with Taliban

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/russian-president-vladimir-putin-calls-pm-modi-discussed-cooperation-in-fighting-international-terrorism-188852&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjewqjR6P7fAhWtVt8KHWpJAooQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1SU5AzJhi-1dmCOTvMFt_i">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Tuesday in Moscow, part of revived negotiations aiming to formally end World War II.&nbsp;

The peace process stalled in the 1950s due to a dispute over the Kuril islands the Soviet army occupied in the last days of the war.

"The president has said from the start that the issue of signing a peace agreement with Japan will be very drawn out in terms of time," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists hours before Abe's expected touchdown in the Russian capital.

"The talks are in their initial stage," he said.&nbsp;

Tokyo claims as their own the so-called southern Kurils, a string of islands just north of Hokkaido which it calls Northern Territories.&nbsp;

In the 1950s, the Soviet Union had said it would be willing to transfer Shikotan island and Habomai, a group of islets, to Japan, following a signed peace accord.

Japan at the time refused, demanding the entire chain, which also includes the islands of Iturup and Kunashir.

The notion that Moscow could now cede any territory to Japan is extremely sensitive in Russian society, with a number of protests held against it in recent weeks, including in Moscow at the weekend.

Peskov did not rule out the possibility that Putin could hand over territory in exchange for a peace deal.

"Nobody has officially offered anything, so any eventual line of reasoning is hardly appropriate, they don't help the spirit of the talks," he said.&nbsp;

"Nobody is going to go against their national interests," Peskov said.

Three of the islands are inhabited while Habomai is a group of islets with only the presence of a border patrol. &nbsp;

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process.

The Kremlin on Monday dampened expectations of any breakthrough at the upcoming summit between the leaders of Russia and Japan, saying striking a peace deal would be a very "drawn out" process. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet Tuesday in Moscow, part of revived negotiations aiming to formally end World War II. The peace process stalled in the 1950s due to a dispute over the Kuril islands the Soviet army occupied in the last days of the war. "The president has said from the start that the issue of signing a peace agreement with Japan will be very drawn out in terms of time," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists hours before Abe's expected touchdown in the Russian capital. "The talks are in their initial stage," he said. Tokyo claims as their own the so-called southern Kurils, a string of islands just north of Hokkaido which it calls Northern Territories. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union had said it would be willing to transfer Shikotan island and Habomai, a group of islets, to Japan, following a signed peace accord. Japan at the time refused, demanding the entire chain, which also includes the islands of Iturup and Kunashir. The notion that Moscow could now cede any territory to Japan is extremely sensitive in Russian society, with a number of protests held against it in recent weeks, including in Moscow at the weekend. Peskov did not rule out the possibility that Putin could hand over territory in exchange for a peace deal. "Nobody has officially offered anything, so any eventual line of reasoning is hardly appropriate, they don't help the spirit of the talks," he said. "Nobody is going to go against their national interests," Peskov said. Three of the islands are inhabited while Habomai is a group of islets with only the presence of a border patrol.

Peace talks with Japan a 'drawn out' process: Russia

The Taliban on Tuesday cancelled the planned peace talks with the US officials in Qatar over an agenda disagreement.

The meeting was cancelled even after the change&nbsp;in the&nbsp;venue of the meet on the demands of the&nbsp;Taliban. The Taliban had earlier demanded a shift in the venue of the talks to Qatar.

"Both sides have agreed to not meet in Qatar," senior Taliban members based in Afghanistan told Reuters.

The meeting between the leaders of the two groups aimed at&nbsp;a discussion to end the possible ceasefire in 2019 and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-urge-us-to-exit-afghanistan-or-face-soviet-style-defeat-186871">withdrawal of foreign forces</a>.

Talks had been planned for two days starting Wednesday in Qatar, senior Taliban members earlier told Reuters. The Taliban had rejected requests from regional powers to allow <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-launches-brutal-attack-on-afghan-army-182317">Afghan officials </a>to take part in the discussion.

The Taliban regards the United States as its main adversary in the Afghan war and views direct talks with Washington as a legitimate effort to seek the withdrawal of foreign troops before engaging with the Afghan government.

The war in Afghanistan is America's longest overseas military intervention. It has cost Washington nearly a trillion dollars and killed tens of thousands of people.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified since Taliban representatives began meeting with Khalilzad, an Afghan-born, US diplomat last year. Officials from the warring sides have met at least three times, but fighting has not subsided.

The leaders of the Taliban have already refused to hold direct talks with Afghanistan government.

(With inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Taliban on Tuesday cancelled the planned peace talks with the US officials in Qatar over an agenda disagreement. The meeting was cancelled even after the change in the venue of the meet on the demands of the Taliban.

The Taliban on Tuesday cancelled the planned peace talks with the US officials in Qatar over an agenda disagreement. The meeting was cancelled even after the change in the venue of the meet on the demands of the Taliban. The Taliban had earlier demanded a shift in the venue of the talks to Qatar. "Both sides have agreed to not meet in Qatar," senior Taliban members based in Afghanistan told Reuters. The meeting between the leaders of the two groups aimed at a discussion to end the possible ceasefire in 2019 and the withdrawal of foreign forces. Talks had been planned for two days starting Wednesday in Qatar, senior Taliban members earlier told Reuters. The Taliban had rejected requests from regional powers to allow Afghan officials to take part in the discussion. The Taliban regards the United States as its main adversary in the Afghan war and views direct talks with Washington as a legitimate effort to seek the withdrawal of foreign troops before engaging with the Afghan government. The war in Afghanistan is America's longest overseas military intervention. It has cost Washington nearly a trillion dollars and killed tens of thousands of people. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified since Taliban representatives began meeting with Khalilzad, an Afghan-born, US diplomat last year. Officials from the warring sides have met at least three times, but fighting has not subsided. The leaders of the Taliban have already refused to hold direct talks with Afghanistan government. (With inputs from Reuters)

Taliban call off peace talks with US officials

The Taliban have rejected Kabul's offer of talks next month in Saudi Arabia where the militants, fighting to restore strict Islamic law in Afghanistan, will meet US officials to further peace efforts, a Taliban leader said on Sunday.

Representatives from the Taliban, the United States and regional countries met this month in the United Arab Emirates for talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.

But the Taliban have refused to hold formal talks with the Western-backed Afghan government.

"We will meet the US officials in Saudi Arabia in January next year and we will start our talks that remained incomplete in Abu Dhabi," a member of the Taliban’s decision-making Leadership Council told Reuters. "However, we have made it clear to all the stakeholders that we will not talk to the Afghan government."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said the leaders of the group would not talk to the Afghan government.

The militants have insisted on first reaching an agreement with the United States, which the group sees as the main force in Afghanistan since U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban government in 2001.&nbsp;

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified after Taliban representatives started meeting US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad this year. Officials from the warring sides have met at least three times to discuss the withdrawal of international forces and a ceasefire in 2019.&nbsp;

But the United States has insisted that any final settlement must be led by the Afghans.

According to data from the NATO-led Resolute Support mission published in November, the government of President Ashraf Ghani has control or influence over 65 per cent of the population but only 55.5 per cent of Afghanistan’s 407 districts, less than at any time since 2001. The Taliban say they control 70 per cent of the country.

A close aide to Ghani said the government would keep trying to establish a direct line of diplomatic communication with the Taliban.

"Talks should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "It is important that the Taliban acknowledge this fact."&nbsp; 
US President Donald Trump has announced a pullout of American troops from Syria, a decision that prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, and there have been reports that he is considering a partial pullout from Afghanistan.

The Taliban have rejected Kabul's offer of talks next month in Saudi Arabia where the militants, fighting to restore strict Islamic law in Afghanistan, will meet US officials to further peace efforts, a Taliban leader said on Sunday.

The Taliban have rejected Kabul's offer of talks next month in Saudi Arabia where the militants, fighting to restore strict Islamic law in Afghanistan, will meet US officials to further peace efforts, a Taliban leader said on Sunday. Representatives from the Taliban, the United States and regional countries met this month in the United Arab Emirates for talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. But the Taliban have refused to hold formal talks with the Western-backed Afghan government. "We will meet the US officials in Saudi Arabia in January next year and we will start our talks that remained incomplete in Abu Dhabi," a member of the Taliban’s decision-making Leadership Council told Reuters. "However, we have made it clear to all the stakeholders that we will not talk to the Afghan government." Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said the leaders of the group would not talk to the Afghan government. The militants have insisted on first reaching an agreement with the United States, which the group sees as the main force in Afghanistan since U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban government in 2001. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified after Taliban representatives started meeting US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad this year. Officials from the warring sides have met at least three times to discuss the withdrawal of international forces and a ceasefire in 2019. But the United States has insisted that any final settlement must be led by the Afghans. According to data from the NATO-led Resolute Support mission published in November, the government of President Ashraf Ghani has control or influence over 65 per cent of the population but only 55.5 per cent of Afghanistan’s 407 districts, less than at any time since 2001. The Taliban say they control 70 per cent of the country. A close aide to Ghani said the government would keep trying to establish a direct line of diplomatic communication with the Taliban. "Talks should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "It is important that the Taliban acknowledge this fact." US President Donald Trump has announced a pullout of American troops from Syria, a decision that prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, and there have been reports that he is considering a partial pullout from Afghanistan.

Taliban dismiss Afghanistan's peace talks offer

UN-backed peace talks set to begin in Sweden today

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-parties-to-convene-for-fragile-peace-talks-in-sweden-181832">Yemen's government and rebels</a> doubled down on their rival demands Thursday, just moments before hard-won peace talks were due to open in Sweden under the auspices of the United Nations.&nbsp;

A top Huthi rebel official threatened Thursday to bar UN planes from using the Yemeni capital's airport unless peace talks in Sweden lead to its full reopening.

"If the Yemeni capital's airport is not opened to the Yemeni people in the peace talks in Sweden, I call on the (rebel) political council and government to close the airport for all planes," Mohammed Ali al-Huthi tweeted.

The Yemeni government hit back, demanding the rebels withdraw from the flashpoint port city of Hodeida.&nbsp;

Yemen's foreign ministry demanded the "coupist militias withdraw fully from the western coast and hand the area over to the legitimate government" via Twitter -- a reference to rebel-held Hodeida, home to Yemen's most valuable port.&nbsp;

The Sweden talks mark the first attempt in two years to broker an end to the Yemen conflict, which has killed at least 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Some 14 million people are at imminent risk of starvation in Yemen, according to UN estimates, as a Saudi-led military coalition continues to battle the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels.&nbsp;

Yemen's government and rebels doubled down on their rival demands Thursday, just moments before hard-won peace talks were due to open in Sweden under the auspices of the United Nations.

Yemen's government and rebels doubled down on their rival demands Thursday, just moments before hard-won peace talks were due to open in Sweden under the auspices of the United Nations. A top Huthi rebel official threatened Thursday to bar UN planes from using the Yemeni capital's airport unless peace talks in Sweden lead to its full reopening. "If the Yemeni capital's airport is not opened to the Yemeni people in the peace talks in Sweden, I call on the (rebel) political council and government to close the airport for all planes," Mohammed Ali al-Huthi tweeted. The Yemeni government hit back, demanding the rebels withdraw from the flashpoint port city of Hodeida. Yemen's foreign ministry demanded the "coupist militias withdraw fully from the western coast and hand the area over to the legitimate government" via Twitter -- a reference to rebel-held Hodeida, home to Yemen's most valuable port. The Sweden talks mark the first attempt in two years to broker an end to the Yemen conflict, which has killed at least 10,000 people since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Some 14 million people are at imminent risk of starvation in Yemen, according to UN estimates, as a Saudi-led military coalition continues to battle the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

Yemen government, rebels lash out as peace talks set to open

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster.

The nearly four-year-old conflict, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions facing starvation, pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi group against Yemeni forces backed by an Arab coalition loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Houthi team was escorted from the capital Sanaa, which was seized by the group in 2014, to Sweden by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. Before boarding a Kuwaiti plane, one delegate praised him for delivering on confidence-building measures like the evacuation of wounded fighters and a prisoner swap deal.

"Griffiths was true to his word ... We are certain he has put in place a general framework for negotiations in order to proceed with the political process," Abdelmeguid Hanash told reporters.&nbsp;

Hadi`s government is expected to follow the Houthis, whose attendance was secured after the evacuation of 50 wounded Houthis for treatment in Oman on Monday. A previous round in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to appear.

The talks will be held in a renovated castle outside Stockholm to discuss further confidence-building steps and a transitional governing body, as the U.S. Senate is set to consider a resolution to end support for the coalition in the war.

Outrage over the October 2 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has intensified international scrutiny of Saudi activities in the region, potentially giving Western powers, which provide arms and intelligence to the coalition, more leverage to demand action.

Germany, Denmark and Sweden have suspended arms exports to Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi`s killing and the Yemen war. The United States halted refuelling support for coalition warplanes, whose air strikes have been blamed for many civilian deaths.

The Arab alliance intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government, but has bogged down in military stalemate.

Residents in the port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war, were fearful of renewed fighting if the talks failed as each side fortified their positions in the Houthi-held Red Sea city after a period of reduced hostilities.

"The situation here does not make us optimistic that we will avoid war," said 51-year-old government employee Mohammed Taher.

SEVERE HUNGER

The conflict, seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran, has left over 8 million Yemenis facing famine although the United Nations has warned this could rise to 14 million. Three-quarters of the population, or 22 million, rely on aid.

World Food Programme chief David Beasley said in Geneva that an upcoming food security report would show an increase in severe hunger rates in Yemen - where a child dies every 11 minutes - but not necessarily meet the criteria of famine.&nbsp;

UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said Yemen`s government will need billions of dollars in external support to fund core state functions, its 2019 budget and to avoid another currency collapse, in addition to $4 billion in aid.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday that the Sweden talks are a "critical opportunity".

"A sustainable Yemeni-led political solution offers the best chance to ending the current crisis. A stable state, important for the region, cannot coexist with unlawful militias."

The talks, which will focus on reopening Sanaa airport, implementing a prisoner swap and securing a truce in Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial goods and aid.

This would serve as a foundation for a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities.

The last available UN figure for the civilian death toll was in 2016 and stood at more than 10,000. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which tracks violence in Yemen, puts it at around 57,000 people.

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster.

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster. The nearly four-year-old conflict, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions facing starvation, pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi group against Yemeni forces backed by an Arab coalition loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Houthi team was escorted from the capital Sanaa, which was seized by the group in 2014, to Sweden by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. Before boarding a Kuwaiti plane, one delegate praised him for delivering on confidence-building measures like the evacuation of wounded fighters and a prisoner swap deal. "Griffiths was true to his word ... We are certain he has put in place a general framework for negotiations in order to proceed with the political process," Abdelmeguid Hanash told reporters. Hadi`s government is expected to follow the Houthis, whose attendance was secured after the evacuation of 50 wounded Houthis for treatment in Oman on Monday. A previous round in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to appear. The talks will be held in a renovated castle outside Stockholm to discuss further confidence-building steps and a transitional governing body, as the U.S. Senate is set to consider a resolution to end support for the coalition in the war. Outrage over the October 2 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has intensified international scrutiny of Saudi activities in the region, potentially giving Western powers, which provide arms and intelligence to the coalition, more leverage to demand action. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have suspended arms exports to Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi`s killing and the Yemen war. The United States halted refuelling support for coalition warplanes, whose air strikes have been blamed for many civilian deaths. The Arab alliance intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government, but has bogged down in military stalemate. Residents in the port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war, were fearful of renewed fighting if the talks failed as each side fortified their positions in the Houthi-held Red Sea city after a period of reduced hostilities. "The situation here does not make us optimistic that we will avoid war," said 51-year-old government employee Mohammed Taher. SEVERE HUNGER The conflict, seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran, has left over 8 million Yemenis facing famine although the United Nations has warned this could rise to 14 million. Three-quarters of the population, or 22 million, rely on aid. World Food Programme chief David Beasley said in Geneva that an upcoming food security report would show an increase in severe hunger rates in Yemen - where a child dies every 11 minutes - but not necessarily meet the criteria of famine. UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said Yemen`s government will need billions of dollars in external support to fund core state functions, its 2019 budget and to avoid another currency collapse, in addition to $4 billion in aid. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday that the Sweden talks are a "critical opportunity". "A sustainable Yemeni-led political solution offers the best chance to ending the current crisis. A stable state, important for the region, cannot coexist with unlawful militias." The talks, which will focus on reopening Sanaa airport, implementing a prisoner swap and securing a truce in Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial goods and aid. This would serve as a foundation for a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities. The last available UN figure for the civilian death toll was in 2016 and stood at more than 10,000. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which tracks violence in Yemen, puts it at around 57,000 people.

Yemen's Houthis in Sweden for peace talks; UN warns of economic breakdown

The United Nations envoy to Yemen will visit the rebel-held battleground port city of Hodeida this week, a UN source said Thursday, as he presses warring parties to uphold pledges to join peace talks.

Martin Griffiths, who arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Wednesday, was in the Arabian Peninsula country to lay the groundwork for next month's negotiations in Sweden.

The British diplomat's visit to Hodeida on Friday was aimed at encouraging Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition to stay calm ahead of the talks in Stockholm, the UN source said.

The conflict in Yemen, which escalated when the Saudi-led alliance intervened in 2015, has killed thousands and sparked what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis would be at risk of starvation if fighting closes the port of Hodeida, through which nearly all of the country's imports and humanitarian aid pass.

Both sides have in the past week expressed support for the envoy and his mission to hold discussions, but military officials have said that intermittent clashes continued to erupt in the Red Sea city of Hodeida.

Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, head of the rebels' Higher Revolutionary Committee and an influential political figure, said the rebels were ready for peace.

"We support peace. We are ready for peace if that is what they (the Saudi-led coalition) want," he told reporters after meeting Griffiths on Thursday.

"I do not think anyone can doubt our desire for peace," he said, adding the envoy would hold talks with rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi before heading to Hodeida.

'Fully on board'

United States Defence Secretary Jim Mattis confirmed on Wednesday peace discussions between the Huthis and the internationally-recognised government would take place early December.

He said Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates -- which is also a key member of the military coalition supporting the loyalists -- were "fully on board".

"It looks like that very, very early in December, up in Sweden, we'll see both the Huthi rebel side and the UN-recognised government, President (Abedrabbo Mansour) Hadi's government, will be up there."

Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days.

The UN has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year.

Mattis' latest comments came as the US State Department said talks must not be delayed any longer.

The United States has been providing bombs and other weapons, as well as intelligence support, to the Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi, but recently ended its refuelling support for Saudi warplanes.

On Monday, Britain presented to the UN Security Council a draft resolution urging an immediate truce in Hodeida.

The draft, circulated by Britain to the 14 other council members, and seen by AFP, sets a two-week deadline for the warring sides to remove all barriers to humanitarian aid.

The proposed resolution would significantly ratchet up pressure on the Saudi-led coalition and the Huthis to seek a negotiated settlement in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation.

It also calls for a large injection of foreign cash to support Yemen's collapsing currency and for salaries of civil servants, teachers, and health workers to be paid within a month.

UN peace efforts

Griffiths -- whose efforts at kickstarting peace talks in September collapsed -- is spearheading the biggest push in two years to end the war.

In September, a previous round of UN-led peace talks faltered when the Huthis refused to travel to Geneva, accusing the world body of failing to guarantee their delegation's return to Sanaa or secure the evacuation of wounded rebels to Oman.

Previous talks broke down in 2016, when 108 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield a deal and left rebel delegates stranded in Oman for three months.

A UN panel of experts has accused both the Huthis and the Saudi-led coalition of acts that could amount to war crimes.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict, though some rights groups estimate the toll could be five times higher.

The World Food Programme says up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation, and 18-19 million are "food insecure".

The United Nations envoy to Yemen will visit the rebel-held battleground port city of Hodeida this week, a UN source said Thursday, as he presses warring parties to uphold pledges to join peace talks.

The United Nations envoy to Yemen will visit the rebel-held battleground port city of Hodeida this week, a UN source said Thursday, as he presses warring parties to uphold pledges to join peace talks. Martin Griffiths, who arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Wednesday, was in the Arabian Peninsula country to lay the groundwork for next month's negotiations in Sweden. The British diplomat's visit to Hodeida on Friday was aimed at encouraging Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition to stay calm ahead of the talks in Stockholm, the UN source said. The conflict in Yemen, which escalated when the Saudi-led alliance intervened in 2015, has killed thousands and sparked what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis would be at risk of starvation if fighting closes the port of Hodeida, through which nearly all of the country's imports and humanitarian aid pass. Both sides have in the past week expressed support for the envoy and his mission to hold discussions, but military officials have said that intermittent clashes continued to erupt in the Red Sea city of Hodeida. Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, head of the rebels' Higher Revolutionary Committee and an influential political figure, said the rebels were ready for peace. "We support peace. We are ready for peace if that is what they (the Saudi-led coalition) want," he told reporters after meeting Griffiths on Thursday. "I do not think anyone can doubt our desire for peace," he said, adding the envoy would hold talks with rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi before heading to Hodeida. 'Fully on board' United States Defence Secretary Jim Mattis confirmed on Wednesday peace discussions between the Huthis and the internationally-recognised government would take place early December. He said Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates -- which is also a key member of the military coalition supporting the loyalists -- were "fully on board". "It looks like that very, very early in December, up in Sweden, we'll see both the Huthi rebel side and the UN-recognised government, President (Abedrabbo Mansour) Hadi's government, will be up there." Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days. The UN has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year. Mattis' latest comments came as the US State Department said talks must not be delayed any longer. The United States has been providing bombs and other weapons, as well as intelligence support, to the Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi, but recently ended its refuelling support for Saudi warplanes. On Monday, Britain presented to the UN Security Council a draft resolution urging an immediate truce in Hodeida. The draft, circulated by Britain to the 14 other council members, and seen by AFP, sets a two-week deadline for the warring sides to remove all barriers to humanitarian aid. The proposed resolution would significantly ratchet up pressure on the Saudi-led coalition and the Huthis to seek a negotiated settlement in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation. It also calls for a large injection of foreign cash to support Yemen's collapsing currency and for salaries of civil servants, teachers, and health workers to be paid within a month. UN peace efforts Griffiths -- whose efforts at kickstarting peace talks in September collapsed -- is spearheading the biggest push in two years to end the war. In September, a previous round of UN-led peace talks faltered when the Huthis refused to travel to Geneva, accusing the world body of failing to guarantee their delegation's return to Sanaa or secure the evacuation of wounded rebels to Oman. Previous talks broke down in 2016, when 108 days of negotiations in Kuwait failed to yield a deal and left rebel delegates stranded in Oman for three months. A UN panel of experts has accused both the Huthis and the Saudi-led coalition of acts that could amount to war crimes. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict, though some rights groups estimate the toll could be five times higher. The World Food Programme says up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation, and 18-19 million are "food insecure".

UN Yemen envoy to visit battleground port ahead of peace talks

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group.

The release of Abdul Ghani Baradar -- the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 -- came less than two weeks after US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the group's representatives in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12, a senior Taliban leader told AFP on the condition of anonymity.

"We believe that they were released at the US's request," the leader said.

He said Baradar would likely stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban's Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad.

"It was important for confidence building and all three will participate in the next round of talks with the US in Qatar," he added.

Baradar was the most high-profile Afghan Taliban leader detained by Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

He was arrested in the southern port city of Karachi in 2010, reportedly in an operation that was described as a huge blow to the militant group, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 when it was toppled by a US-led invasion.

It was not clear what role, if any, he would play in peace talks.

"Baradar was freed yesterday afternoon and he joined his family," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message.

A Pakistani intelligence official also said Baradar was "released a couple of days ago".

Baradar's release comes after the recent election of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents in the region to bring an end to years of fighting.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier this month also pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban as the country lobbies the United States to restore military aid.

The United States has long pressed Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban and other militant groups, which Washington says have safe havens in Pakistan's border areas and links to its shadowy military establishment -- charges Islamabad has repeatedly denied.

Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Doha as part of a regional trip designed to coordinate efforts to convince the group to negotiate an end to the war.&nbsp;

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group.

A top Taliban commander held in Pakistani detention for more than eight years has been freed, sources said Thursday, in an apparent move to aid tentative talks between the United States and the militant group. The release of Abdul Ghani Baradar -- the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 -- came less than two weeks after US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the group's representatives in Qatar to discuss ending the Afghan conflict. Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12, a senior Taliban leader told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "We believe that they were released at the US's request," the leader said. He said Baradar would likely stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban's Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad. "It was important for confidence building and all three will participate in the next round of talks with the US in Qatar," he added. Baradar was the most high-profile Afghan Taliban leader detained by Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. He was arrested in the southern port city of Karachi in 2010, reportedly in an operation that was described as a huge blow to the militant group, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 when it was toppled by a US-led invasion. It was not clear what role, if any, he would play in peace talks. "Baradar was freed yesterday afternoon and he joined his family," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message. A Pakistani intelligence official also said Baradar was "released a couple of days ago". Baradar's release comes after the recent election of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban and other Islamist insurgents in the region to bring an end to years of fighting. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier this month also pledged to support negotiations with the Taliban as the country lobbies the United States to restore military aid. The United States has long pressed Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban and other militant groups, which Washington says have safe havens in Pakistan's border areas and links to its shadowy military establishment -- charges Islamabad has repeatedly denied. Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives in Doha as part of a regional trip designed to coordinate efforts to convince the group to negotiate an end to the war.

Pakistan frees Taliban leader after US talks with militants

The Taliban on Monday directed Afghans to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections and demanded a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only solution to end the 17-year-old war as they ramped up attacks in strategic provinces.

The statement from the hardline Islamic militant group coincided with the visit of top US&nbsp;envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been appointed to lead peace efforts with the Taliban.

Khalilzad met President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul to strategise ways to hold Afghan-led peace talks with the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule was ended by US-led troops.

"Peace is a holy process, and the US&nbsp;government and people are united with the Afghan government and people in this process," Khalilzad was quoted by Ghani's office in a statement as saying.

Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former US&nbsp;ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, joined the US&nbsp;State Department team in September.

He is scheduled to visit Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week as he seeks to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.

But the Taliban, who are fighting to expel foreign forces, topple the government and restore their version of hardline Islamic law, have repeatedly rejected offers to hold peace talks or support the polls.

The Oct. 20 vote, seen by international partners as a dry run for presidential elections next year, has been hampered by chaotic preparations, allegations of fraud and ever-present fears of militant violence.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s main spokesman, said the United States was using the elections for the sole purpose of legitimising their presence and authority.

"People are given a deceptive feeling of having free right casting their votes for the malicious purpose of minimising their resentment against the foreign occupation," he said.

With less than two weeks to go before the long-delayed elections, the Taliban and Islamic State have ramped up attacks across the country.

The fighting has underlined the struggle security forces face as the insurgents have steadily extended their control over the countryside even though they have been unable to take and hold a major city.

"The real solution of the ongoing Afghan crisis lies in the complete withdrawal of all foreign occupying forces and the restoration of a pure Islamic sovereignty," said Mujahid.

Western diplomats have said the fighting raises questions about the viability of the US&nbsp;strategy to end the war, which for the past year has focused on forcing the militants, largely with more air strikes, to the negotiating table.

The Taliban on Monday directed Afghans to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections and demanded a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only solution to end the 17-year-old war as they ramped up attacks in strategic provinces.

The Taliban on Monday directed Afghans to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections and demanded a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only solution to end the 17-year-old war as they ramped up attacks in strategic provinces. The statement from the hardline Islamic militant group coincided with the visit of top US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been appointed to lead peace efforts with the Taliban. Khalilzad met President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul to strategise ways to hold Afghan-led peace talks with the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule was ended by US-led troops. "Peace is a holy process, and the US government and people are united with the Afghan government and people in this process," Khalilzad was quoted by Ghani's office in a statement as saying. Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former US ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, joined the US State Department team in September. He is scheduled to visit Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week as he seeks to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. But the Taliban, who are fighting to expel foreign forces, topple the government and restore their version of hardline Islamic law, have repeatedly rejected offers to hold peace talks or support the polls. The Oct. 20 vote, seen by international partners as a dry run for presidential elections next year, has been hampered by chaotic preparations, allegations of fraud and ever-present fears of militant violence. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s main spokesman, said the United States was using the elections for the sole purpose of legitimising their presence and authority. "People are given a deceptive feeling of having free right casting their votes for the malicious purpose of minimising their resentment against the foreign occupation," he said. With less than two weeks to go before the long-delayed elections, the Taliban and Islamic State have ramped up attacks across the country. The fighting has underlined the struggle security forces face as the insurgents have steadily extended their control over the countryside even though they have been unable to take and hold a major city. "The real solution of the ongoing Afghan crisis lies in the complete withdrawal of all foreign occupying forces and the restoration of a pure Islamic sovereignty," said Mujahid. Western diplomats have said the fighting raises questions about the viability of the US strategy to end the war, which for the past year has focused on forcing the militants, largely with more air strikes, to the negotiating table.

Taliban urge Afghans to boycott polls, reject peace talks

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict.

The Taliban have long insisted on the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan as a precondition for peace talks -- a major sticking point to kick-starting any potential negotiations. &nbsp

Here's a rundown of the fits and starts with past peace initiatives during the country's long insurgency:

The fall&nbsp

The US military invade Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in the wake of the September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, and force the Taliban from power within weeks. But by 2003 US attention is diverted to Iraq. &nbsp

The Taliban and other Islamist groups retreat to their strongholds in the south and east of Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel to and from Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt. Slowly they begin to regroup.

The resurgence 

In February 2007 the Taliban's growing reach is brought home when insurgents attack a US base in Afghanistan as vice president Dick Cheney visits, killing 24 people.

US President Barack Obama orders a "surge" of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in December 2009, but says withdrawals will begin in July 2011. The number of NATO-led forces rises to a peak of 150,000 in the summer of 2010.

In May of 2011 Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is finally killed by US special forces in Pakistan. The killing prompts calls for the war to end. Shortly after, Obama announces that 33,000 US troops will be withdrawn by the middle of 2012.&nbsp

But hopes for talks are dampened when Burhanuddin Rabbani -- a former president and then-president Hamid Karzai's peace envoy -- becomes the most senior politician to be killed in the conflict, in a September 2011 assassination blamed by Afghan officials on the Taliban.

The talks

The Taliban open an office in Qatar in June 2013 following secret back-channel negotiations with US officials in a first move towards a possible peace deal.&nbsp

However, the initiative collapses a month later after they enrage Karzai by styling themselves as the unofficial embassy for a government-in-exile.

In December 2014, NATO formally ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, handing over security to beleaguered Afghan forces struggling with soaring casualties and desertion.

But hopes are raised when direct peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban -- the first of the conflict -- begin in Pakistan in July 2015.

The shock revelation that Mullah Omar, the Taliban's founder, had died two years earlier, with the group covering up his death, quickly derails the talks.

The ceasefire

In the following years security deteriorates in Afghanistan, particularly Kabul, with the nascent Islamic State group adding to the challenges faced by struggling security forces.&nbsp

The capital becomes the deadliest place in the country for civilians as casualties surge.

In February this year Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveils a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. He floats a ceasefire as part of the plan.&nbsp

It is the most comprehensive offer by Kabul, but it is snubbed by the Taliban, who view Ghani's government as illegitimate, and instead step up attacks.

On May 31 the Pentagon says that senior Afghan officials are negotiating with the Taliban over a ceasefire.&nbsp

Days later, on June 7, Ghani announces what appears to be a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid, the holiday that caps off Ramadan, though he says operations against other groups including IS will continue.&nbsp

The Taliban do not immediately respond, and analysts are sceptical, as social media is flooded with Afghans calling on the insurgents to agree. NATO and US officials say they hope the move can lead to a breakthrough.

By Saturday the Taliban announce their own unprecedented ceasefire for the first three days of Eid. The statement does not respond directly to Ghani, but the dates overlap.

The moves are greeted with caution by many, but also relief by war-weary civilians and Afghan officials. A Western analyst in Kabul tells AFP they are a "confidence-building measure".

Whether they lead to something bigger remains to be seen.

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict. The Taliban have long insisted on the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan as a precondition for peace talks -- a major sticking point to kick-starting any potential negotiations. Here's a rundown of the fits and starts with past peace initiatives during the country's long insurgency: The fall The US military invade Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in the wake of the September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, and force the Taliban from power within weeks. But by 2003 US attention is diverted to Iraq. The Taliban and other Islamist groups retreat to their strongholds in the south and east of Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel to and from Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt. Slowly they begin to regroup. The resurgence In February 2007 the Taliban's growing reach is brought home when insurgents attack a US base in Afghanistan as vice president Dick Cheney visits, killing 24 people. US President Barack Obama orders a "surge" of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in December 2009, but says withdrawals will begin in July 2011. The number of NATO-led forces rises to a peak of 150,000 in the summer of 2010. In May of 2011 Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is finally killed by US special forces in Pakistan. The killing prompts calls for the war to end. Shortly after, Obama announces that 33,000 US troops will be withdrawn by the middle of 2012. But hopes for talks are dampened when Burhanuddin Rabbani -- a former president and then-president Hamid Karzai's peace envoy -- becomes the most senior politician to be killed in the conflict, in a September 2011 assassination blamed by Afghan officials on the Taliban. The talks The Taliban open an office in Qatar in June 2013 following secret back-channel negotiations with US officials in a first move towards a possible peace deal. However, the initiative collapses a month later after they enrage Karzai by styling themselves as the unofficial embassy for a government-in-exile. In December 2014, NATO formally ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, handing over security to beleaguered Afghan forces struggling with soaring casualties and desertion. But hopes are raised when direct peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban -- the first of the conflict -- begin in Pakistan in July 2015. The shock revelation that Mullah Omar, the Taliban's founder, had died two years earlier, with the group covering up his death, quickly derails the talks. The ceasefire In the following years security deteriorates in Afghanistan, particularly Kabul, with the nascent Islamic State group adding to the challenges faced by struggling security forces. The capital becomes the deadliest place in the country for civilians as casualties surge. In February this year Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveils a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. He floats a ceasefire as part of the plan. It is the most comprehensive offer by Kabul, but it is snubbed by the Taliban, who view Ghani's government as illegitimate, and instead step up attacks. On May 31 the Pentagon says that senior Afghan officials are negotiating with the Taliban over a ceasefire. Days later, on June 7, Ghani announces what appears to be a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid, the holiday that caps off Ramadan, though he says operations against other groups including IS will continue. The Taliban do not immediately respond, and analysts are sceptical, as social media is flooded with Afghans calling on the insurgents to agree. NATO and US officials say they hope the move can lead to a breakthrough. By Saturday the Taliban announce their own unprecedented ceasefire for the first three days of Eid. The statement does not respond directly to Ghani, but the dates overlap. The moves are greeted with caution by many, but also relief by war-weary civilians and Afghan officials. A Western analyst in Kabul tells AFP they are a "confidence-building measure". Whether they lead to something bigger remains to be seen.

Afghanistan's chequered history with Taliban peace talks

The Taliban say they "categorically reject" a statement made this week by the US commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan about "off stage" contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents, according to news reports.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement distributed to the media today that Gen. John Nicholson's remarks, made to reporters at the Pentagon from his Kabul office, were a "baseless claim."&nbsp;

Nicholson said Wednesday that "mid-level, senior-level Taliban leaders" are "engaging with Afghans," adding that unspecified international organizations, foreign governments and other interested parties also are involved.

Mujahid says that "American General Nicholson is making such fabricated statements to divert attention from his failures and keep the Washington media busy with false claims instead of exposing the failed Trump (administration's) strategy" in Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement distributed to the media today that Gen. John Nicholson's remarks, made to reporters at the Pentagon from his Kabul office, were a "baseless claim."

The Taliban say they "categorically reject" a statement made this week by the US commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan about "off stage" contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents, according to news reports. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement distributed to the media today that Gen. John Nicholson's remarks, made to reporters at the Pentagon from his Kabul office, were a "baseless claim." Nicholson said Wednesday that "mid-level, senior-level Taliban leaders" are "engaging with Afghans," adding that unspecified international organizations, foreign governments and other interested parties also are involved. Mujahid says that "American General Nicholson is making such fabricated statements to divert attention from his failures and keep the Washington media busy with false claims instead of exposing the failed Trump (administration's) strategy" in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Taliban rejects US commander's statement on peace talks

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa suggested ways of achieving peace and prosperity in Pakistan through military cooperations with India, as per reports by UK-based think-tank Royal Unites Services Institute (RUSI).&nbsp;

As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March.&nbsp;

After two weeks, General Bajwa reportedly said that he wanted peace and dialogue with India. Bajwa while addressing a passing-out parade of cadets said, "That only through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue a solution could be found for the disputes between the two countries", as quoted by European think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS).

This came following Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement of April 15 saying that peace is the only solution to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it could be ensured through a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

He said that Islamabad “remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.”

The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Bajwa had said earlier.

Moreover, the report further mentioned that that senior Pakistani officer Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz headed the first ever high-level contact group with India as Director-General Military Operations.

The report added that another top officer, Major General Ahmed Hayat, the Director General of analysis wing of the Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI), authored the so-called "India Plan" in 2013, which tried to ascertain how and when Pakistan should approach India, suggesting that Pakistan military would approach India after Islamabad strengthened it defence diplomacy without pressure or threats from Washington DC.

"It is a no-brainer that one cannot live in an environment of perpetual enmity with a neighbour six times your size, but the indicators have to be right," he said.

The report further said that with a sustained approach by the Pakistan military to India, it could only be a matter of time before New Delhi agrees to at least talk to Islamabad for improving relations and pressing for peace and stability.&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)

As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa suggested ways of achieving peace and prosperity in Pakistan through military cooperations with India, as per reports by UK-based think-tank Royal Unites Services Institute (RUSI). As per the report, General Bajwa had recently invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian military attache, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March. After two weeks, General Bajwa reportedly said that he wanted peace and dialogue with India. Bajwa while addressing a passing-out parade of cadets said, "That only through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue a solution could be found for the disputes between the two countries", as quoted by European think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS). This came following Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement of April 15 saying that peace is the only solution to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it could be ensured through a dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said that Islamabad “remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.” The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Bajwa had said earlier. Moreover, the report further mentioned that that senior Pakistani officer Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz headed the first ever high-level contact group with India as Director-General Military Operations. The report added that another top officer, Major General Ahmed Hayat, the Director General of analysis wing of the Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI), authored the so-called "India Plan" in 2013, which tried to ascertain how and when Pakistan should approach India, suggesting that Pakistan military would approach India after Islamabad strengthened it defence diplomacy without pressure or threats from Washington DC. "It is a no-brainer that one cannot live in an environment of perpetual enmity with a neighbour six times your size, but the indicators have to be right," he said. The report further said that with a sustained approach by the Pakistan military to India, it could only be a matter of time before New Delhi agrees to at least talk to Islamabad for improving relations and pressing for peace and stability. (With ANI inputs)

Pakistan can achieve peace and prosperity through military talks with India: General Bajwa

World stocks rose on Friday, lifted by strong share price gains for tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook and growing hopes of a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula after a ground-breaking meeting of North and South Korean leaders.

European shares were set to end the week with a flourish too with a pan-European index set to post its fifth week of gains in a row, with the tech sector outperforming.

The latest gains are being partly spurred by forecast-beating first-quarter earnings from two of the so-called FANG tech stocks -- some of the world's largest and most influential companies by market capitalisation -- which has boosted sentiment on the technology sector worldwide.

Still, US&nbspstock futures pointed to a weaker open for Wall Street after Thursday's earnings-driven rally.

Amazon.com Inc shares jumped more than 6 per cent in after-market trading while Facebook surged 9.1 per cent on Thursday, calming worries about the fallout from its use of consumer data.

"Macroeconomic data has been soft in a number of key economies, so it is reassuring that amidst those concerns we are still seeing strong earnings numbers coming through from big ticket corporates such as Amazon and Facebook," said Investec economist Victoria Clarke.

"This is a good gauge of the broad drivers of sentiment particularly when there are those concerns about demand holding up in the face of weak economic data," Clarke added.

European tech shares rose 1 per cent to the highest in more than five weeks, buoyed also by gains in local IT and chipmaking firms such as Capgemini, ASML and Infineon.

Sterling slides

Sterling slumped to its lowest since March 9 against the dollar after data showed Britain's economy slowed much more sharply than expected in the first quarter of 2018, slashing market expectations of a Bank of England rate hike in May.

The currency was last down 1 per cent at $1.3770. It also fell 1 per cent against the euro to 87.85 pence and was on track for its worst day since November.

"A May rate hike is off the table now this pushes the hike back to August at the earliest and more likely November," said Jake Trask, a currencies analyst at OFX.

However, sterling's slide helped shares on Britain's FTSE index to rise 0.7 per cent with gains led by multi-national earners which earn a big chunk of their revenues overseas but report profits in pounds.

The weak data adds to concerns that economic growth across the developed world is running out of steam, especially after lacklustre euro zone figures earlier in the week and data on Friday showing French economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter.

The European Central Bank on Thursday played down concerns over softness in the euro zone economy as it sought to bolster expectations for a gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus.

On Friday, Japan's central bank kept policy unchanged but ditched a time frame it had set for hitting its inflation target, in a surprise move analysts say is aimed at keeping market expectations for more stimulus in check.

"Within a 12 hour period it seems like the expectations are three key central banks will delay any tightening of monetary policy from what was previously expected... Equity markets should be comforted by that," said Bob Michele, CIO and head of global fixed income, currency and commodities at JPMorgan Asset Management.

Historic moment for Korea

South Korea's won led a rebound in emerging market currencies as comments from North Korea's Kim Jong Un of a "new history" between the two sides helped end a brutal week for emerging market currencies on a positive note.

North and South Korea agreed on Friday to pursue the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and work towards declaring an official end this year to the 1950s Korean war.

The won rose as much as 0.6 per cent against the dollar, while Asian stock markets also revelled in the glow of the summit between North and South Korea.

Seoul shares briefly rise more than 1 per cent to a one-month high, while MSCI's index of Asian shares outside Japan rallied 0.8 per cent and Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.7 percent to two-month peaks.

The dollar meanwhile hit its highest since Jan. 12 against a basket of currencies, having benefited from the recent run in US&nbspTreasury yields -- 10-year yields hit 3 per cent this week for the first time since January 2014.

With a weekly gain of more than 1.5 per cent, the greenback is set for its best weekly performance since late 2016.

European shares were set to end the week with a flourish too with a pan-European index set to post its fifth week of gains in a row, with the tech sector outperforming

World stocks rose on Friday, lifted by strong share price gains for tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook and growing hopes of a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula after a ground-breaking meeting of North and South Korean leaders. European shares were set to end the week with a flourish too with a pan-European index set to post its fifth week of gains in a row, with the tech sector outperforming. The latest gains are being partly spurred by forecast-beating first-quarter earnings from two of the so-called FANG tech stocks -- some of the world's largest and most influential companies by market capitalisation -- which has boosted sentiment on the technology sector worldwide. Still, US&nbspstock futures pointed to a weaker open for Wall Street after Thursday's earnings-driven rally. Amazon.com Inc shares jumped more than 6 per cent in after-market trading while Facebook surged 9.1 per cent on Thursday, calming worries about the fallout from its use of consumer data. "Macroeconomic data has been soft in a number of key economies, so it is reassuring that amidst those concerns we are still seeing strong earnings numbers coming through from big ticket corporates such as Amazon and Facebook," said Investec economist Victoria Clarke. "This is a good gauge of the broad drivers of sentiment particularly when there are those concerns about demand holding up in the face of weak economic data," Clarke added. European tech shares rose 1 per cent to the highest in more than five weeks, buoyed also by gains in local IT and chipmaking firms such as Capgemini, ASML and Infineon. Sterling slides Sterling slumped to its lowest since March 9 against the dollar after data showed Britain's economy slowed much more sharply than expected in the first quarter of 2018, slashing market expectations of a Bank of England rate hike in May. The currency was last down 1 per cent at $1.3770. It also fell 1 per cent against the euro to 87.85 pence and was on track for its worst day since November. "A May rate hike is off the table now this pushes the hike back to August at the earliest and more likely November," said Jake Trask, a currencies analyst at OFX. However, sterling's slide helped shares on Britain's FTSE index to rise 0.7 per cent with gains led by multi-national earners which earn a big chunk of their revenues overseas but report profits in pounds. The weak data adds to concerns that economic growth across the developed world is running out of steam, especially after lacklustre euro zone figures earlier in the week and data on Friday showing French economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter. The European Central Bank on Thursday played down concerns over softness in the euro zone economy as it sought to bolster expectations for a gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus. On Friday, Japan's central bank kept policy unchanged but ditched a time frame it had set for hitting its inflation target, in a surprise move analysts say is aimed at keeping market expectations for more stimulus in check. "Within a 12 hour period it seems like the expectations are three key central banks will delay any tightening of monetary policy from what was previously expected... Equity markets should be comforted by that," said Bob Michele, CIO and head of global fixed income, currency and commodities at JPMorgan Asset Management. Historic moment for Korea South Korea's won led a rebound in emerging market currencies as comments from North Korea's Kim Jong Un of a "new history" between the two sides helped end a brutal week for emerging market currencies on a positive note. North and South Korea agreed on Friday to pursue the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" and work towards declaring an official end this year to the 1950s Korean war. The won rose as much as 0.6 per cent against the dollar, while Asian stock markets also revelled in the glow of the summit between North and South Korea. Seoul shares briefly rise more than 1 per cent to a one-month high, while MSCI's index of Asian shares outside Japan rallied 0.8 per cent and Japan's Nikkei share average rose 0.7 percent to two-month peaks. The dollar meanwhile hit its highest since Jan. 12 against a basket of currencies, having benefited from the recent run in US&nbspTreasury yields -- 10-year yields hit 3 per cent this week for the first time since January 2014. With a weekly gain of more than 1.5 per cent, the greenback is set for its best weekly performance since late 2016.

Tech gains, Korean talks lift world stock markets; sterling tumbles 

North Korean leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-sorry-for-keeping-south-korean-president-moon-up-with-his-late-night-missile-tests-133177">Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon</a> in a joint statement decided to end hostilities between the two countries and reunite families separated during the 1953 Korean war.

Both leaders decided to engage in high-level military talks next month as hopes of permanent peace sweeped&nbsp;the Korean peninsula.

In a historic move, the two Korean leaders decided to convert the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) into a "peace zone"

The joint statement also said South Korean President Moon will visit North Korea in autumn this year.

The two leaders met at Panmunjom "peace village" with the eyes of the world fixed on&nbsp;Kim and Moon as they engaged in talks overshadowing months of hostility and war talk.

Both leaders engaged in talks for over an hour behind closed doors, out in the open they exchanged jokes and looked at ease with each other as the Korean peninsula looked to be heading towards peace.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qzJ4_GBuYdU" width="560"></iframe>

In a historic move, the two Korean leaders decided to convert the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) into a "peace zone"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon in a joint statement decided to end hostilities between the two countries and reunite families separated during the 1953 Korean war. Both leaders decided to engage in high-level military talks next month as hopes of permanent peace sweeped the Korean peninsula. In a historic move, the two Korean leaders decided to convert the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) into a "peace zone" The joint statement also said South Korean President Moon will visit North Korea in autumn this year. The two leaders met at Panmunjom "peace village" with the eyes of the world fixed on Kim and Moon as they engaged in talks overshadowing months of hostility and war talk. Both leaders engaged in talks for over an hour behind closed doors, out in the open they exchanged jokes and looked at ease with each other as the Korean peninsula looked to be heading towards peace.

In joint statement, North and South Korea decide to convert DMZ into 'peace zone'

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