U.S' Delegation headed by Afghan-Born Zalmay Khalilzad. The peace talks resume after a three-month hiatus.

U.S-Taliban peace talks resume

US&nbsp;Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, after a visit to Kabul, will travel to Qatar to rejoin talks with Taliban negotiators on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement to the war in Afghanistan, the State Department said on Wednesday.

Khalilzad arrived in Kabul earlier on Wednesday to follow up on US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's visit to Afghanistan last week and to discuss with Afghan officials and others how to convene talks with the Taliban on a political settlement, the State Department said.

US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, after a visit to Kabul, will travel to Qatar to rejoin talks with Taliban negotiators on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement to the war in Afghanistan, the State Department said on Wednesday.

US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, after a visit to Kabul, will travel to Qatar to rejoin talks with Taliban negotiators on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement to the war in Afghanistan, the State Department said on Wednesday. Khalilzad arrived in Kabul earlier on Wednesday to follow up on US President Donald Trump's visit to Afghanistan last week and to discuss with Afghan officials and others how to convene talks with the Taliban on a political settlement, the State Department said.

US envoy to rejoin Doha talks with Taliban after Kabul visit: State Department

US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan along with other officials to discuss the Afghan peace process during his two-day visit to Pakistan on October 28 and 29.

On Wednesday, US Embassy in Pakistan put out a statement saying, "Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Islamabad on October 28-29. In his meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other government officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed the current status of the Afghan peace process and the importance of reducing violence."

On Sunday, Khalilzad was in Kabul to brief Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the recent developments in the peace process.

Soon after the brief, Afghan Presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi reiterated Kabul's stand stating that it wants a peace process led by Afghan-owned government and that all stakeholders, including the US, should support the Afghan peace plan.

Following nine rounds of peace talks held in Qatar's capital city of Doha, the US and the Taliban had reached upon an agreement "in principle".

The negotiations, however, were called off in the aftermath of several Taliban-led terror attacks in Kabul that left scores dead, including a US soldier.&nbsp;

US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan along with other officials to discuss the Afghan peace process during his two-day visit to Pakistan on October 28 and 29.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan along with other officials to discuss the Afghan peace process during his two-day visit to Pakistan on October 28 and 29. On Wednesday, US Embassy in Pakistan put out a statement saying, "Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Islamabad on October 28-29. In his meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other government officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed the current status of the Afghan peace process and the importance of reducing violence." On Sunday, Khalilzad was in Kabul to brief Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the recent developments in the peace process. Soon after the brief, Afghan Presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi reiterated Kabul's stand stating that it wants a peace process led by Afghan-owned government and that all stakeholders, including the US, should support the Afghan peace plan. Following nine rounds of peace talks held in Qatar's capital city of Doha, the US and the Taliban had reached upon an agreement "in principle". The negotiations, however, were called off in the aftermath of several Taliban-led terror attacks in Kabul that left scores dead, including a US soldier.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad meets Pak PM Imran Khan to discuss Afghan peace process

Three Indian engineers abducted by the Taliban&nbsp;last year in Afghanistan are set to be released.

The engineers working at a power station were abducted in May of 2018. One of them was released earlier this year.

They were abducted in Bagh-e-Shamal village near the Pul-e-Khomri city which is the capital of northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The development comes days after US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban in Pakistan. One of the demands of the American side was release of foreign prisoners in Taliban custody.&nbsp;

A government source in Islamabad said the American side had asked the Taliban to release five foreigners in their custody which included three Indian engineers, one Australian and one American.&nbsp;

The seven abducted Indians were working in Indian company KEC International headquartered in Mumbai. The company owns an electricity sub-station contract in the area. One Indian national was released and repatriated&nbsp;in&nbsp;March, 2019.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a release then said, "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national."

"We continue to work closely with the Government of Afghanistan for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals," MEA added.

The fate of the remaining three engineers is not known. &nbsp;

More than 60 Indians were working for KEC International in different projects across Afghanistan. This is not the first case of abduction of Indians in Afghanistan. In 2016, an Indian aid worker Judith D Souza was kidnapped by and was released after 40 days.

Three Indian engineers abducted by the Taliban last year in Afghanistan are set to be released. The engineers working at a power station were abducted in May of 2018.

Three Indian engineers abducted by the Taliban last year in Afghanistan are set to be released. The engineers working at a power station were abducted in May of 2018. One of them was released earlier this year. They were abducted in Bagh-e-Shamal village near the Pul-e-Khomri city which is the capital of northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan. The development comes days after US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban in Pakistan. One of the demands of the American side was release of foreign prisoners in Taliban custody. A government source in Islamabad said the American side had asked the Taliban to release five foreigners in their custody which included three Indian engineers, one Australian and one American. The seven abducted Indians were working in Indian company KEC International headquartered in Mumbai. The company owns an electricity sub-station contract in the area. One Indian national was released and repatriated in March, 2019. The Ministry of External Affairs in a release then said, "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national." "We continue to work closely with the Government of Afghanistan for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals," MEA added. The fate of the remaining three engineers is not known. More than 60 Indians were working for KEC International in different projects across Afghanistan. This is not the first case of abduction of Indians in Afghanistan. In 2016, an Indian aid worker Judith D Souza was kidnapped by and was released after 40 days.

Three Indian nationals abducted by Taliban in Afghanistan last year to be released 

Taliban to meet U.S envoy today. Is the US resuming talks with Taliban? Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: Taliban to meet U.S envoy today

&nbsp;A high-level Taliban delegation led by the group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-national-assembly-rejects-bill-non-muslim-cant-be-prime-minister-or-president-253349">Pakistan </a>Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and discussed the Afghan peace process and other issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Khan stressed the need for peace in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-3-policemen-wounded-in-fight-at-police-headquaters-253489">Afghanistan</a>, which he termed was crucial for regional stability. He also assured that Islamabad would continue its efforts for peace in Kabul, reported Geo news.

Prior to this, the 12-member <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-delegation-to-visit-pakistan-and-discuss-failed-afghan-peace-talks-253201">Taliban </a>delegation held meetings with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Pakistan foreign office, during which the latter called for the resumption of peace talks between the insurgent group and the United States.

Pakistan wished for the talks to resume "to smooth the path for durable, long-lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan", Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement.

"War is not a solution to any problem. Talks are the only and positive solution to establish peace in Afghanistan," he added.

The delegation landed in Islamabad on Wednesday, hours after the United States Special Envoy for Afghan Peace Zalmay Khalilzad reached Islamabad.

On September 22, Khalilzad had called upon Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was in America then and had discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the apparent dissolution of the Afghan peace process 
However, Afghan legitimate government is sceptical about Pakistan's new approach and called the Taliban a proxy of Islamabad.

"The Taliban are a proxy of Pakistan, of not just Pakistan, but Pakistan's intelligence agency. Afghanistan would never accept to be ruled by Pakistanis," Afghan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib.

A high-level Taliban delegation led by the group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and discussed the Afghan peace process and other issues of mutual interest.

A high-level Taliban delegation led by the group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and discussed the Afghan peace process and other issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, Khan stressed the need for peace in Afghanistan, which he termed was crucial for regional stability. He also assured that Islamabad would continue its efforts for peace in Kabul, reported Geo news. Prior to this, the 12-member Taliban delegation held meetings with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Pakistan foreign office, during which the latter called for the resumption of peace talks between the insurgent group and the United States. Pakistan wished for the talks to resume "to smooth the path for durable, long-lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan", Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement. "War is not a solution to any problem. Talks are the only and positive solution to establish peace in Afghanistan," he added. The delegation landed in Islamabad on Wednesday, hours after the United States Special Envoy for Afghan Peace Zalmay Khalilzad reached Islamabad. On September 22, Khalilzad had called upon Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was in America then and had discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the apparent dissolution of the Afghan peace process However, Afghan legitimate government is sceptical about Pakistan's new approach and called the Taliban a proxy of Islamabad. "The Taliban are a proxy of Pakistan, of not just Pakistan, but Pakistan's intelligence agency. Afghanistan would never accept to be ruled by Pakistanis," Afghan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib.

Taliban delegation meets Imran Khan, discusses Afghan peace process

U.S. Special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad is in Pakistan. A Taliban delegation, led by its co-founder, Mullah Baradar is also in Pakistan. Is this an indication of the revival of Afghan peace talks? @Palki explains

Gravitas: Why Is Zalmay Khalilzad In Pakistan?

US special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad is in Islamabad to “review the progress made under US-Taliban peace talks so far.

Pakistan hosts Afghan peace talks again

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has arrived in Pakistan to discuss revival of the peace talks with the Pakistani leaders and a possible meeting with a Taliban delegation.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Pak; But why?

The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants.

The House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to force Zalmay Khalilzad to appear after it complained about being kept in the dark over the negotiating process.

"We have reached an accommodation... to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in a classified briefing," Eliot Engel, the committee chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday, adding the subpoena had been withdrawn.

"While I would have preferred to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in an open setting, I'm glad our members will have this long-overdue opportunity to press for answers on the peace plan."

Trump said on September 7 that he had called off "peace negotiations" with the Taliban, and revealed that he had arranged but cancelled talks with the Islamist militants at his Camp David presidential retreat.

Khalilzad held nine rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, saying little in public about the negotiations.

He later said he had reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban in which the United States would pull out troops and the militants would promise to break with Al-Qaeda.

Trump has been eager to end America's longest war, launched 18 years ago after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

But he accused the Taliban of bad faith for launching an attack in Kabul that killed a US soldier, and others, on the eve of the Camp David talks.

The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants.

The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants. The House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to force Zalmay Khalilzad to appear after it complained about being kept in the dark over the negotiating process. "We have reached an accommodation... to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in a classified briefing," Eliot Engel, the committee chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday, adding the subpoena had been withdrawn. "While I would have preferred to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in an open setting, I'm glad our members will have this long-overdue opportunity to press for answers on the peace plan." Trump said on September 7 that he had called off "peace negotiations" with the Taliban, and revealed that he had arranged but cancelled talks with the Islamist militants at his Camp David presidential retreat. Khalilzad held nine rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, saying little in public about the negotiations. He later said he had reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban in which the United States would pull out troops and the militants would promise to break with Al-Qaeda. Trump has been eager to end America's longest war, launched 18 years ago after the September 11 attacks on the United States. But he accused the Taliban of bad faith for launching an attack in Kabul that killed a US soldier, and others, on the eve of the Camp David talks.

US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad to testify before lawmakers

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said on Thursday it will subpoena President Donald Trump's special Afghanistan envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, to testify on Sept. 19, after the abrupt cancellation of talks with the country's Taliban militia.

US House panel subpoenas Trump's top Afghanistan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad

Days after US President Trump called off <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-taliban-sends-warning-to-us-president-donald-trump-in-bitter-exchange-249252">talks with the Taliban</a>, India reacted to the development asserting that any peace process should respect the political mandate and involve all sections of the Afghan society including the Afghan government.

Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said, "We believe that all sections of the Afghan society including the legitimately elected government should be part of this process. We have supported the election, the process that is about to unfold later this month."

Explaining further, he said, "Our point of view is that any process should respect the constitutional legacy and political mandate, should not lead to any ungoverned spaces were terrorist and their proxies can relocate and should have the full concent of Afghan people and the government."

Watch Video:

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The foreign ministry spokesman clarified that there is no change in New Delhi's policy regarding the peace process in Afghanistan. India supports Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process and is one of the major development partner of Kabul since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

MEA spokesperson expressed confidence that any "peace process which is being taken by the international community including by the US will accommodate our concerns in this regard."

India has shared its concerns, particularly on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan with the US and Islamabad's support to terrorism in Afghanistan. US Special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has been to India thrice this year in the backdrop of US-Taliban talks which have now been closed by Washington.

Days after US President Trump called off talks with the Taliban, India reacted to the development asserting that any peace process should respect the political mandate and involve all sections of the Afghan society including the Afghan government.

Days after US President Trump called off talks with the Taliban, India reacted to the development asserting that any peace process should respect the political mandate and involve all sections of the Afghan society including the Afghan government. Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said, "We believe that all sections of the Afghan society including the legitimately elected government should be part of this process. We have supported the election, the process that is about to unfold later this month." Explaining further, he said, "Our point of view is that any process should respect the constitutional legacy and political mandate, should not lead to any ungoverned spaces were terrorist and their proxies can relocate and should have the full concent of Afghan people and the government." Watch Video: The foreign ministry spokesman clarified that there is no change in New Delhi's policy regarding the peace process in Afghanistan. India supports Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process and is one of the major development partner of Kabul since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. MEA spokesperson expressed confidence that any "peace process which is being taken by the international community including by the US will accommodate our concerns in this regard." India has shared its concerns, particularly on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan with the US and Islamabad's support to terrorism in Afghanistan. US Special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has been to India thrice this year in the backdrop of US-Taliban talks which have now been closed by Washington.

Any peace process in Afghanistan should respect political mandate: India

A loud explosion shook central Kabul on Thursday, with casualties feared in yet another<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/death-toll-rises-to-16-more-than-100-injured-in-kabul-blast-official-247236"> apparent attack to rock the Afghan capital</a> as the US and Taliban negotiate a peace deal.

"We confirm an explosion in the Shashdarak area" at about 10:10 am (05:40 GMT), interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

The blast shook windows and doors in an area close to foreign embassies and government buildings.

It was not immediately clear if the blast had caused casualties.

On Monday, at least 16 people were killed in a Taliban attack on a residential area in east Kabul.

Monday night's attack took place in a residential area near Green Village, a large compound that houses aid agencies and international organisations.

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the blast was caused by a tractor packed with explosives that had been parked alongside a wall by Green Village.

The Taliban claimed the attack, which came as US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Kabul to discuss a proposed deal that would see the US withdraw troops from Afghanistan in return for insurgent security guarantees.

Residents in the area around Green Village were furious that their neighbourhood, which has been targeted before, had been hit once again and blamed the international presence.&nbsp;

A loud explosion shook central Kabul on Thursday, with casualties feared in yet another apparent attack to rock the Afghan capital as the US and Taliban negotiate a peace deal.

A loud explosion shook central Kabul on Thursday, with casualties feared in yet another apparent attack to rock the Afghan capital as the US and Taliban negotiate a peace deal. "We confirm an explosion in the Shashdarak area" at about 10:10 am (05:40 GMT), interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. The blast shook windows and doors in an area close to foreign embassies and government buildings. It was not immediately clear if the blast had caused casualties. On Monday, at least 16 people were killed in a Taliban attack on a residential area in east Kabul. Monday night's attack took place in a residential area near Green Village, a large compound that houses aid agencies and international organisations. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the blast was caused by a tractor packed with explosives that had been parked alongside a wall by Green Village. The Taliban claimed the attack, which came as US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Kabul to discuss a proposed deal that would see the US withdraw troops from Afghanistan in return for insurgent security guarantees. Residents in the area around Green Village were furious that their neighbourhood, which has been targeted before, had been hit once again and blamed the international presence.

Afghanistan: Loud explosion heard in central Kabul, casualties feared

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has returned to Qatar for further talks with the Taliban as he fine-tunes a deal on withdrawing troops, the State Department said on Thursday.

"Ambassador Khalilzad has returned to Doha to continue talks," a State Department spokesperson said.

Khalilzad had earlier reached an agreement "in principle" with the Taliban that would lead to an end to America's longest war, a top goal for President Donald Trump.

The internationally recognised government in Kabul, with which the Taliban have refused to negotiate, voiced concern and sought clarifications, pointing to risks.

The Taliban, however, have not relented on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-nato-troops-among-10-killed-in-kabul-suicide-attack-taliban-claims-responsibility-247831">violence despite negotiating</a> with the United States, killing at least 10 people including NATO troops in a bombing Thursday in Kabul.

On Twitter, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a "martyrdom seeker" - or suicide bomber - had triggered the car bomb and that 12 "foreign invaders" were killed. 
&nbsp;

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has returned to Qatar for further talks with the Taliban as he fine-tunes a deal on withdrawing troops, the State Department said on Thursday.

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has returned to Qatar for further talks with the Taliban as he fine-tunes a deal on withdrawing troops, the State Department said on Thursday. "Ambassador Khalilzad has returned to Doha to continue talks," a State Department spokesperson said. Khalilzad had earlier reached an agreement "in principle" with the Taliban that would lead to an end to America's longest war, a top goal for President Donald Trump. The internationally recognised government in Kabul, with which the Taliban have refused to negotiate, voiced concern and sought clarifications, pointing to risks. The Taliban, however, have not relented on violence despite negotiating with the United States, killing at least 10 people including NATO troops in a bombing Thursday in Kabul. On Twitter, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a "martyrdom seeker" - or suicide bomber - had triggered the car bomb and that 12 "foreign invaders" were killed.

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has returned to Qatar for talks with Taliban: State Department

A Taliban attack on a housing complex used by international organisations in the Afghan capital Kabul late on Monday killed at least 16 people and angered local residents who demanded the heavily fortified compound be moved.&nbsp;

The blast, which shook buildings several kilometres away, happened just as Zalmay Khalilzad, the special US&nbsp;envoy for peace in Afghanistan, was outlining details of a draft accord with the insurgents in a television interview.&nbsp;

Following major Taliban attacks on two northern cities over the weekend, the bombing of the Green Village compound in a mixed business and residential area added to questions around the peace deal reached between US&nbsp;and Taliban negotiators in the Qatari capital, Doha.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-to-withdraw-5000-troops-from-afghanistan-close-bases-zalmay-khalilzad-247234">US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Afghanistan, close bases: Zalmay Khalilzad</a>&nbsp;

It was condemned by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and prompted an urgent call from the top United Nations official in Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, for an end to the violence and a negotiated intra-Afghan settlement to the conflict.

"Meaningful steps must take place now to obtain an immediate and nationwide halt to violence. The United Nations stands ready to help," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

Monday's attack left wreckage strewn around the area, destroying cars and badly damaging the concrete blast walls protecting the Green Village complex located off a major road in an area of houses, shops and warehouses.&nbsp;

Habib Jan, who was in his house nearby when the blast occurred, said residents wanted the compound, used mainly by foreign staff of international groups including aid organisations, moved to another location.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/committed-to-supporting-afghan-forces-nato-chief-stoltenberg-247361">Committed to supporting Afghan forces, says NATO chief Stoltenberg</a>

"This isn't once or twice, it's the fourth or fifth time, all by the Taliban. A lot of my friends, a lot of my family have been wounded or killed," he said as smoke spiralled into the sky from burning tyres lit by protesters demanding that the complex be moved.

"Our young people have been killed, our children have been killed, our old men have been killed, our girls have been killed. What can we do?"

Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the blast was caused by a tractor packed with explosives but that armed attackers, who planned to follow up the blast, were killed by security forces. Around 400 foreign nationals were evacuated.

Like other compounds built to house the thousands of foreign contractors and agency staff who work in Kabul, Green Village is a fortified complex of concrete blast walls and steel gates protected by armed guards.

While such compounds have been attacked repeatedly over the years, the main victims are often Afghan civilians living in the surrounding area.

The timing of the attack, as Khalilzad's interview was still being broadcast, appeared to be deliberate. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared the blast had destroyed rooms and offices and caused countless casualties among "invaders".

"Enemy claims of civilian losses are false as no civilians were allowed close to the site of the attack," he said in a tweet.

Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-born diplomat who has been leading US&nbsp;negotiations, said almost 5,000 US&nbsp;troops would be pulled out and five bases closed in exchange for Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan would not be used as a base for militant attacks on the United States and its allies.

But the deal did not include a formal ceasefire and Monday's attacks, as well as major assaults on the northern cities of Kunduz and Pul-e Khumri, underlined doubts about whether it would really bring an end to violence.

On the other side, officials in the southern province of Helmand, one of the Taliban's main strongholds, said 15 insurgents, including the commander and deputy commander of a special operations unit, were killed by US&nbsp;air strikes.

A Taliban attack on a housing complex used by international organisations in the Afghan capital Kabul late on Monday killed at least 16 people and angered local residents who demanded the heavily fortified compound be moved.

A Taliban attack on a housing complex used by international organisations in the Afghan capital Kabul late on Monday killed at least 16 people and angered local residents who demanded the heavily fortified compound be moved. The blast, which shook buildings several kilometres away, happened just as Zalmay Khalilzad, the special US envoy for peace in Afghanistan, was outlining details of a draft accord with the insurgents in a television interview. Following major Taliban attacks on two northern cities over the weekend, the bombing of the Green Village compound in a mixed business and residential area added to questions around the peace deal reached between US and Taliban negotiators in the Qatari capital, Doha. Also Read: US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Afghanistan, close bases: Zalmay Khalilzad It was condemned by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and prompted an urgent call from the top United Nations official in Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, for an end to the violence and a negotiated intra-Afghan settlement to the conflict. "Meaningful steps must take place now to obtain an immediate and nationwide halt to violence. The United Nations stands ready to help," he said in a statement. Monday's attack left wreckage strewn around the area, destroying cars and badly damaging the concrete blast walls protecting the Green Village complex located off a major road in an area of houses, shops and warehouses. Habib Jan, who was in his house nearby when the blast occurred, said residents wanted the compound, used mainly by foreign staff of international groups including aid organisations, moved to another location. Also Read: Committed to supporting Afghan forces, says NATO chief Stoltenberg "This isn't once or twice, it's the fourth or fifth time, all by the Taliban. A lot of my friends, a lot of my family have been wounded or killed," he said as smoke spiralled into the sky from burning tyres lit by protesters demanding that the complex be moved. "Our young people have been killed, our children have been killed, our old men have been killed, our girls have been killed. What can we do?" Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the blast was caused by a tractor packed with explosives but that armed attackers, who planned to follow up the blast, were killed by security forces. Around 400 foreign nationals were evacuated. Like other compounds built to house the thousands of foreign contractors and agency staff who work in Kabul, Green Village is a fortified complex of concrete blast walls and steel gates protected by armed guards. While such compounds have been attacked repeatedly over the years, the main victims are often Afghan civilians living in the surrounding area. The timing of the attack, as Khalilzad's interview was still being broadcast, appeared to be deliberate. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared the blast had destroyed rooms and offices and caused countless casualties among "invaders". "Enemy claims of civilian losses are false as no civilians were allowed close to the site of the attack," he said in a tweet. Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-born diplomat who has been leading US negotiations, said almost 5,000 US troops would be pulled out and five bases closed in exchange for Taliban guarantees that Afghanistan would not be used as a base for militant attacks on the United States and its allies. But the deal did not include a formal ceasefire and Monday's attacks, as well as major assaults on the northern cities of Kunduz and Pul-e Khumri, underlined doubts about whether it would really bring an end to violence. On the other side, officials in the southern province of Helmand, one of the Taliban's main strongholds, said 15 insurgents, including the commander and deputy commander of a special operations unit, were killed by US air strikes.

Deadly Taliban attack in Afghan capital casts shadow on peace deal

The United States would withdraw almost 5,000 troops from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-at-least-six-security-personnel-killed-in-explosion-in-kunduz-city-247159">Afghanistan</a> and close five bases within 135 days under a draft peace accord agreed with the Taliban, the chief US negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Monday.

The deal, reached after months of negotiations with representatives from the insurgent movement, must still be approved by US President Donald Trump before it can be signed, Khalilzad said in an interview with Tolo News television.

"In principle, we have got there," he said. "The document is closed."

In exchange for the phased withdrawal, the Taliban would commit not to allow Afghanistan to be used by militant groups such as al Qaeda or Islamic State as a base for attacks on the United States and its allies.

Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump

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The distance that must still be covered before peace is achieved was underlined, however, by a large explosion that rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, even as Khalilzad's interview was being aired, shaking buildings several kilometres away.

Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-American diplomat, said the aim of the deal was to end the war and that it would lead to a reduction in violence, but there was no formal ceasefire agreement. It would be up to negotiations among Afghans themselves to agree a settlement, he said.

He declined to say how long the rest of the roughly 14,000 US troops would remain in Afghanistan after the first stage of the withdrawal, although Taliban officials previously insisted that all foreign forces must leave.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has been briefed on a draft of the accord and will look at details of the deal before giving an opinion, his spokesman said on Monday.

Khalilzad said "intra-Afghan" talks, which might be held in Norway, would aim to reach a broader political settlement and end the fighting between the Taliban and the Western-backed government in Kabul.

Details of any future negotiations remain unclear, with the Taliban so far refusing to deal directly with the government, which it considers an illegitimate "puppet" regime.

Direct negotiation

Ghani met Khalilzad and will "study and assess" details of the draft, spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters earlier on Monday. "But for us, a meaningful peace or a path to a meaningful peace is the end of violence and direct negotiation with the Taliban," he said.

Many Afghan government officials have resented the exclusion of the government from the US-Taliban talks, an issue that was underlined when Ghani was not allowed to keep a text of the draft agreement after it was shown to him.

Several details of the agreement remain to be clarified, including the status to be accorded to the Taliban, which the draft recognises under their preferred title as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Some Afghan officials object to that as they see it according the insurgents an equivalent status to the country's internationally recognised government.

At the same time, presidential elections, scheduled for Sept. 28 in which Ghani is seeking re-election to a second five-year term, were not covered in the agreement, Khalilzad said. The Taliban have consistently rejected the elections.

Khalilzad, who has completed nine rounds of talks with Taliban representatives, is scheduled to hold meetings with a number of Afghan leaders in Kabul this week to build a consensus before the deal is signed.

The peace talks have taken place against a backdrop of relentless violence, even before Monday's blast in Kabul, with the Taliban mounting two large-scale attacks on the major northern cities of Kunduz and Pul-e Khumri at the weekend.

Afghan security forces pushed back Taliban fighters from both cities, but a suicide bomber detonated his explosives on Monday in Kunduz, killing at least six policemen and wounding 15, officials and the Taliban said.

Trump has made little secret of his desire to bring the 14,000 US troops home from Afghanistan, where American troops have been deployed since a US-led campaign overthrew the Taliban in 2001.

But there are concerns among Afghan officials and US national security aides about a US withdrawal, with fears Afghanistan could be plunged into a new civil war that could herald a return of Taliban rule and allow international militants, including Islamic State, to find a refuge.

The United States would withdraw almost 5,000 troops from Afghanistan and close five bases within 135 days under a draft peace accord agreed with the Taliban, the chief US negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Monday.

The United States would withdraw almost 5,000 troops from Afghanistan and close five bases within 135 days under a draft peace accord agreed with the Taliban, the chief US negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Monday. The deal, reached after months of negotiations with representatives from the insurgent movement, must still be approved by US President Donald Trump before it can be signed, Khalilzad said in an interview with Tolo News television. "In principle, we have got there," he said. "The document is closed." In exchange for the phased withdrawal, the Taliban would commit not to allow Afghanistan to be used by militant groups such as al Qaeda or Islamic State as a base for attacks on the United States and its allies. Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump × The distance that must still be covered before peace is achieved was underlined, however, by a large explosion that rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, even as Khalilzad's interview was being aired, shaking buildings several kilometres away. Khalilzad, a veteran Afghan-American diplomat, said the aim of the deal was to end the war and that it would lead to a reduction in violence, but there was no formal ceasefire agreement. It would be up to negotiations among Afghans themselves to agree a settlement, he said. He declined to say how long the rest of the roughly 14,000 US troops would remain in Afghanistan after the first stage of the withdrawal, although Taliban officials previously insisted that all foreign forces must leave. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has been briefed on a draft of the accord and will look at details of the deal before giving an opinion, his spokesman said on Monday. Khalilzad said "intra-Afghan" talks, which might be held in Norway, would aim to reach a broader political settlement and end the fighting between the Taliban and the Western-backed government in Kabul. Details of any future negotiations remain unclear, with the Taliban so far refusing to deal directly with the government, which it considers an illegitimate "puppet" regime. Direct negotiation Ghani met Khalilzad and will "study and assess" details of the draft, spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters earlier on Monday. "But for us, a meaningful peace or a path to a meaningful peace is the end of violence and direct negotiation with the Taliban," he said. Many Afghan government officials have resented the exclusion of the government from the US-Taliban talks, an issue that was underlined when Ghani was not allowed to keep a text of the draft agreement after it was shown to him. Several details of the agreement remain to be clarified, including the status to be accorded to the Taliban, which the draft recognises under their preferred title as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Some Afghan officials object to that as they see it according the insurgents an equivalent status to the country's internationally recognised government. At the same time, presidential elections, scheduled for Sept. 28 in which Ghani is seeking re-election to a second five-year term, were not covered in the agreement, Khalilzad said. The Taliban have consistently rejected the elections. Khalilzad, who has completed nine rounds of talks with Taliban representatives, is scheduled to hold meetings with a number of Afghan leaders in Kabul this week to build a consensus before the deal is signed. The peace talks have taken place against a backdrop of relentless violence, even before Monday's blast in Kabul, with the Taliban mounting two large-scale attacks on the major northern cities of Kunduz and Pul-e Khumri at the weekend. Afghan security forces pushed back Taliban fighters from both cities, but a suicide bomber detonated his explosives on Monday in Kunduz, killing at least six policemen and wounding 15, officials and the Taliban said. Trump has made little secret of his desire to bring the 14,000 US troops home from Afghanistan, where American troops have been deployed since a US-led campaign overthrew the Taliban in 2001. But there are concerns among Afghan officials and US national security aides about a US withdrawal, with fears Afghanistan could be plunged into a new civil war that could herald a return of Taliban rule and allow international militants, including Islamic State, to find a refuge.

US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Afghanistan, close bases: Zalmay Khalilzad

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday told the US envoy for Afghanistan to share details of a draft deal between the US and Taliban with all Afghan leaders, news agency Reuters reported quoting president's spokesman.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday told the US envoy for Afghanistan to share details of a draft deal between the US and Taliban with all Afghan leaders, news agency Reuters reported quoting president's spokesman. Zalmay Khalilzad, the Afghan-born US diplomat who has completed nine rounds of talks with Taliban representatives, met Ghani in Kabul earlier today and is scheduled to hold meetings with all Afghan leaders in Kabul this week to build a consensus before the deal is signed. The US-backed government will need to "study and assess" details of the draft deal, the spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, told reporters. Khalilzad has met with Ghani twice in the last two days, he said. (With inputs from Reuters)

Afghan president Ghani wants US to share details of draft deal with all leaders: Spokesman

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's main challenger in an election next month has said he is ready to abandon his bid for power for the sake of peace, raising more questions about prospects for an election the Taliban have vowed to block.

The twice-delayed presidential election comes as the United States and the Taliban are trying to seal an agreement under which US&nbsp;forces will withdraw in exchange for a Taliban security guarantee and a promise of power-sharing talks with Ghani's government.

The Taliban have denounced the election as a sham and vowed to attack rallies. Ghani is insisting an election he looks set to win should go ahead.

Ghani's main challenger, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told a campaign rally on Wednesday he would drop out of the race if that could help secure peace.

"My team is ready to quit elections for the sake of peace," Abdullah said, according to his office.

The Taliban want the election cancelled as a condition for so-called intra-Afghan dialogue - talks after the agreement with the United States is struck on how power can be shared and the country organised - and a ceasefire.

Abdullah, a former foreign minister, was Ghani's main challenger in the last election, in 2014.

That vote was marred by extensive fraud and Ghani became president after US&nbsp;Secretary of State John Kerry brokered a deal creating the post of chief executive for Abdullah.

Ghani has rejected a suggestion put forward by Western allies to postpone the election and form an interim government, perhaps with Taliban representative, after the militants strike their deal with the United States.

Ghani has said the people must be allowed to choose their leader and peace can only be secured under a democratic system.

But the departure of his main challenger could undermine the legitimacy of the election.

Boycott?

This month, another main contender, Hanif Atmar, a former interior minister who also served as Ghani's national security adviser, suspended his campaign, citing the level of violence in the country.

The campaign opened in July with an insurgent attack on the Kabul office of Ghani's running mate, Amrullah Saleh. At least 20 people were killed and 50 wounded.

"With Atmar out of the race and Abdullah now giving preference to the peace deal instead of elections, it is quite clear that Ghani will have to realign his stance," said a Western diplomat in Kabul.

Opposition party sources said many of the 17 candidates in the race were considering a boycott because they believed Ghani was using state apparatus to help him win.

With both the Taliban and US negotiators reporting progress in their talks in recent weeks and raising the prospect of an end to the 18-year war, the election has yet to capture much attention from the public.

The US&nbsp;special representative for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been leading the talks with the Taliban since last year, is scheduled to travel from Doha to Kabul this week for a meeting with Ghani.

Two sources with knowledge of the talks, said the United States will press Ghani to agree to postpone the election.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's main challenger in an election next month has said he is ready to abandon his bid for power for the sake of peace, raising more questions about prospects for an election the Taliban have vowed to block.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's main challenger in an election next month has said he is ready to abandon his bid for power for the sake of peace, raising more questions about prospects for an election the Taliban have vowed to block. The twice-delayed presidential election comes as the United States and the Taliban are trying to seal an agreement under which US forces will withdraw in exchange for a Taliban security guarantee and a promise of power-sharing talks with Ghani's government. The Taliban have denounced the election as a sham and vowed to attack rallies. Ghani is insisting an election he looks set to win should go ahead. Ghani's main challenger, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told a campaign rally on Wednesday he would drop out of the race if that could help secure peace. "My team is ready to quit elections for the sake of peace," Abdullah said, according to his office. The Taliban want the election cancelled as a condition for so-called intra-Afghan dialogue - talks after the agreement with the United States is struck on how power can be shared and the country organised - and a ceasefire. Abdullah, a former foreign minister, was Ghani's main challenger in the last election, in 2014. That vote was marred by extensive fraud and Ghani became president after US Secretary of State John Kerry brokered a deal creating the post of chief executive for Abdullah. Ghani has rejected a suggestion put forward by Western allies to postpone the election and form an interim government, perhaps with Taliban representative, after the militants strike their deal with the United States. Ghani has said the people must be allowed to choose their leader and peace can only be secured under a democratic system. But the departure of his main challenger could undermine the legitimacy of the election. Boycott? This month, another main contender, Hanif Atmar, a former interior minister who also served as Ghani's national security adviser, suspended his campaign, citing the level of violence in the country. The campaign opened in July with an insurgent attack on the Kabul office of Ghani's running mate, Amrullah Saleh. At least 20 people were killed and 50 wounded. "With Atmar out of the race and Abdullah now giving preference to the peace deal instead of elections, it is quite clear that Ghani will have to realign his stance," said a Western diplomat in Kabul. Opposition party sources said many of the 17 candidates in the race were considering a boycott because they believed Ghani was using state apparatus to help him win. With both the Taliban and US negotiators reporting progress in their talks in recent weeks and raising the prospect of an end to the 18-year war, the election has yet to capture much attention from the public. The US special representative for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been leading the talks with the Taliban since last year, is scheduled to travel from Doha to Kabul this week for a meeting with Ghani. Two sources with knowledge of the talks, said the United States will press Ghani to agree to postpone the election.

Taliban talks resume amid hopes of deal: Report

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday.

According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the eighth round of talks, which had been taking place in Doha, finished after midnight.

"Work was tedious &amp; effective. Both sides agreed to consult their respective leaderships for next steps," he wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul.&nbsp;

On Sunday, US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted, "I hope this is the last Eid where Afghanistan is at war," referring to the Eid al-Adha festival currently taking place in the Muslim world.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Eid Mubarak. I hope this is the last Eid where <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> is at war. I know Afghans yearn for peace. We stand with them and are working hard toward a lasting &amp; honorable peace agreement and a sovereign Afghanistan which poses no threat to any other country.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1160546469415411713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Speculation has reached fever pitch in Kabul in recent days that an announcement about a US-Taliban deal may be imminent.

The US has been negotiating with its longtime foe over the past year for a pact that would see the Pentagon begin to withdraw its 14,000 troops from Afghanistan.

Washington is keen to end its 18-year involvement in Afghanistan, where it has spent more than $1 trillion, and President Donald Trump has said he wants troops out.

In return, the Taliban would commit to various security guarantees, including that the Islamist hardliners who long harboured Al-Qaeda would not allow Afghanistan to become a jihadist safe haven.

A US-Taliban agreement would not in itself bring Afghanistan's war to an end, as the insurgents would still need to make a deal with the Kabul government.

Many Afghans had been hoping for a ceasefire to be announced over Eid. This has not happened, but recent days have been relatively calm.

On Monday, Afghanistan's intelligence service announced 35 Taliban prisoners would be released "as a gesture of goodwill".

"The release of these prisoners is a clear sign of the strong will of the government for peace and end to war", the agency said in a statement.

The Taliban and Afghan security forces periodically release enemy prisoners.

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday.

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday. According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the eighth round of talks, which had been taking place in Doha, finished after midnight. "Work was tedious & effective. Both sides agreed to consult their respective leaderships for next steps," he wrote on Twitter. There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul. On Sunday, US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted, "I hope this is the last Eid where Afghanistan is at war," referring to the Eid al-Adha festival currently taking place in the Muslim world. Eid Mubarak. I hope this is the last Eid where #Afghanistan is at war. I know Afghans yearn for peace. We stand with them and are working hard toward a lasting & honorable peace agreement and a sovereign Afghanistan which poses no threat to any other country. — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) August 11, 2019 × Speculation has reached fever pitch in Kabul in recent days that an announcement about a US-Taliban deal may be imminent. The US has been negotiating with its longtime foe over the past year for a pact that would see the Pentagon begin to withdraw its 14,000 troops from Afghanistan. Washington is keen to end its 18-year involvement in Afghanistan, where it has spent more than $1 trillion, and President Donald Trump has said he wants troops out. In return, the Taliban would commit to various security guarantees, including that the Islamist hardliners who long harboured Al-Qaeda would not allow Afghanistan to become a jihadist safe haven. A US-Taliban agreement would not in itself bring Afghanistan's war to an end, as the insurgents would still need to make a deal with the Kabul government. Many Afghans had been hoping for a ceasefire to be announced over Eid. This has not happened, but recent days have been relatively calm. On Monday, Afghanistan's intelligence service announced 35 Taliban prisoners would be released "as a gesture of goodwill". "The release of these prisoners is a clear sign of the strong will of the government for peace and end to war", the agency said in a statement. The Taliban and Afghan security forces periodically release enemy prisoners.

Latest round of peace talks with US finished: Taliban

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S Jaishankar in which India shared its views on Afghanistan and also backs Afghanistan-led peace process

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S Jaishankar

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S.Jaishankar in which India shared its views on Afghanistan and also backs Afghanistan-led peace process

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S.Jaishankar

US envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday met India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and briefed about the situation in Afghanistan. Both sides "shared views on how we could work together effectively", said Jaishankar in a tweet.

US envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday met India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and briefed about the situation in Afghanistan. Both sides "shared views on how we could work together effectively", said Jaishankar in a tweet. This Khalilzad's third trip to India in 2019 and comes even as Afghan Peace Process gathers pace. Useful discussions with US Special Representative @US4AfghanPeace Zalmay Khalilzad. Provided a comprehensive update on the situation in Afghanistan. Shared views on how we could work together effectively. pic.twitter.com/f5alfdB5cj — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 6, 2019 × Zalmay came directly to Delhi from Doha were he held the eighth round of talks with Taliban and a deal is expected soon which will pave way for the American troops to leave the landlocked South Asian country. Taliban expects the deal to be signed between Eid that begins on August 11 and August 14. Before leaving for Delhi, Zalmay in a tweet said, "My team and Taliban representatives will continue to discuss technical details as well as steps and mechanisms required for a successful implementation of the four-part agreement we've been working towards since my appointment. Agreement on these details is essential". India backs "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled" peace process and has been engaging with regional countries--Iran, Russia, China, Central Asian countries-- regarding the Afghan peace process.

US envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets Jaishankar in Delhi

The US could reduce troops station by 8-9 thousand in Afghanistan. Sources in Pakistan have told WION that proposal was discussed by the special representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad.

US could reduce troops by 8-9 thousand in Afghanistan

The US special representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad will be travelling to Doha to take part in the talks with Afghanistan. Watch this video to know more.

US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad heads to Doha for talks

WION Fineprint: Intra-Afghan meet after US-Taliban talks. Watch video to know more.

WION Fineprint: Intra-Afghan meet after US-Taliban talks

US President Donald Trump wants to begin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-presidential-candidates-fear-for-safety-after-attack-239294">withdrawing troops from Afghanistan</a> before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.

Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States."

"He's been unambiguous, end the endless wars, drawdown," said Pompeo.

Before winning the presidential election in 2016, Trump pledged to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and end America's longest war.

But he agreed after taking power to send over more soldiers and now there are around 14,000 in Afghanistan.

For the past year, the US has been negotiating with the Taliban to reach a peace agreement ending the 18-year war.

Pompeo said Monday the talks have made "real progress" and he added that he was optimistic.

The US seems eager to speed up the peace talks as Afghanistan prepares for a presidential election in September and America for the 2020 vote.

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul and in a few days will travel to Qatar for another round of negotiations with the Taliban.

US President Donald Trump wants to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States.

US President Donald Trump wants to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States." "He's been unambiguous, end the endless wars, drawdown," said Pompeo. Before winning the presidential election in 2016, Trump pledged to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and end America's longest war. But he agreed after taking power to send over more soldiers and now there are around 14,000 in Afghanistan. For the past year, the US has been negotiating with the Taliban to reach a peace agreement ending the 18-year war. Pompeo said Monday the talks have made "real progress" and he added that he was optimistic. The US seems eager to speed up the peace talks as Afghanistan prepares for a presidential election in September and America for the 2020 vote. US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul and in a few days will travel to Qatar for another round of negotiations with the Taliban.

Donald Trump wants troop withdrawal in Afghan before 2020 election: US State Secretary Mike Pompeo

Afghanistan's president marked the official start of the country's election season Sunday by insisting "peace is coming" and that pivotal talks with the Taliban would take place.

Ashraf Ghani is hoping to fend off challenges from 17 other candidates to score a second term at twice-postponed presidential elections now slated for September 28.

"Peace is coming, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-reject-direct-talks-with-afghan-government-238970">negotiations will take place</a>," Ghani said at a rally marking the start of two months of campaigning.

His comments come a day after his peace minister, Abdul Salam Rahimi, said direct talks would take place with the Taliban within two weeks as part of a larger, US-led push for peace.

Such a development could be crucial, as the Taliban -- who now control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- have so far refused to speak to Ghani's government, as they consider the Kabul administration illegitimate.

War aside, the country faces a host of major issues ahead of the election, including rocketing crime, a lacklustre economy, soaring unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure.

Voters are despondent about the prospects of a fair election, and many worry about a repeat of the sort of violent attacks on previous polls by the Taliban and other insurgent groups trying to undermine Afghanistan's fragile democracy.

Ghani insisted this year's election would be "clean".

In Kabul, security forces fanned out across the city as leading candidates held rallies.

Campaign posters of Ghani, his main rival Abdullah Abdullah, and other candidates were unveiled across the country.

Abdullah is currently serving as the president's chief executive under an awkward power-sharing arrangement brokered by the US after the fraud-tinged 2014 election.

"It is our national and religious duty to take advantage of any opportunities for peace," Abdullah told a campaign rally.

One crucial issue is that the elections happen at all: they were postponed twice this year and further delays could lead to more unrest.

Despite Ghani's claim that a summit between his government and the Taliban would take place shortly, the insurgents said they would only talk to Kabul after the US had announced a timeline for a withdrawal of foreign forces -- a key part of any deal.

"The Kabul administration will be considered a political side, just like others, and not a government," Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen wrote in Pashto on Twitter.&nbsp;

Diplomatic sources have told AFP the Afghan-Taliban talks are scheduled to begin in Oslo on August 7.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading a push to forge a peace deal with the Taliban, said Saturday that new "intra-Afghan" negotiations would only take place after the US and Taliban had concluded their own agreements.

He is expected to fly to Doha next week for what would be the eighth round of direct US-Taliban talks.

Afghanistan's president marked the official start of the country's election season Sunday by insisting "peace is coming" and that pivotal talks with the Taliban would take place.

Afghanistan's president marked the official start of the country's election season Sunday by insisting "peace is coming" and that pivotal talks with the Taliban would take place. Ashraf Ghani is hoping to fend off challenges from 17 other candidates to score a second term at twice-postponed presidential elections now slated for September 28. "Peace is coming, and the negotiations will take place," Ghani said at a rally marking the start of two months of campaigning. His comments come a day after his peace minister, Abdul Salam Rahimi, said direct talks would take place with the Taliban within two weeks as part of a larger, US-led push for peace. Such a development could be crucial, as the Taliban -- who now control or influence about half of Afghanistan -- have so far refused to speak to Ghani's government, as they consider the Kabul administration illegitimate. War aside, the country faces a host of major issues ahead of the election, including rocketing crime, a lacklustre economy, soaring unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure. Voters are despondent about the prospects of a fair election, and many worry about a repeat of the sort of violent attacks on previous polls by the Taliban and other insurgent groups trying to undermine Afghanistan's fragile democracy. Ghani insisted this year's election would be "clean". In Kabul, security forces fanned out across the city as leading candidates held rallies. Campaign posters of Ghani, his main rival Abdullah Abdullah, and other candidates were unveiled across the country. Abdullah is currently serving as the president's chief executive under an awkward power-sharing arrangement brokered by the US after the fraud-tinged 2014 election. "It is our national and religious duty to take advantage of any opportunities for peace," Abdullah told a campaign rally. One crucial issue is that the elections happen at all: they were postponed twice this year and further delays could lead to more unrest. Despite Ghani's claim that a summit between his government and the Taliban would take place shortly, the insurgents said they would only talk to Kabul after the US had announced a timeline for a withdrawal of foreign forces -- a key part of any deal. "The Kabul administration will be considered a political side, just like others, and not a government," Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen wrote in Pashto on Twitter. Diplomatic sources have told AFP the Afghan-Taliban talks are scheduled to begin in Oslo on August 7. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading a push to forge a peace deal with the Taliban, said Saturday that new "intra-Afghan" negotiations would only take place after the US and Taliban had concluded their own agreements. He is expected to fly to Doha next week for what would be the eighth round of direct US-Taliban talks.

Afghan 'peace is coming', President Ashraf Ghani claims as election campaign starts

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday.

Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad will leave next Monday for the mission lasting through August 1 "as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan," the State Department said in a statement.

In the capital Kabul, he will discuss with the Afghan government the "next steps in the peace process, including identifying a national negotiating team that can participate in intra-Afghan negotiations," the statement added.&nbsp;

Forming such a team is a fraught issue, as the Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government.

He will then travel to Doha, where "he will resume talks with the Taliban," the State Department said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/could-win-afghanistan-war-in-a-week-or-ten-days-but-chose-not-to-do-so-says-donald-trump-in-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-237798">Washington is hoping for a political agreement</a> with the insurgents ahead of the Afghan presidential election scheduled for late September.

A breakthrough could pave the way for a withdrawal of international troops some 18 years after the 9/11 attacks, which led the US to launch a massive offensive to dislodge the Taliban government from Kabul.

The US negotiator has had several meetings with the Taliban in the past year, the most recent being on July 9 in Doha.

Earlier, the Taliban and other senior Afghan officials held intra-Afghan talks in the Qatari capital, pledging to deliver a "road map for peace" in Afghanistan.

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday.

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad will leave next Monday for the mission lasting through August 1 "as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan," the State Department said in a statement. In the capital Kabul, he will discuss with the Afghan government the "next steps in the peace process, including identifying a national negotiating team that can participate in intra-Afghan negotiations," the statement added. Forming such a team is a fraught issue, as the Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government. He will then travel to Doha, where "he will resume talks with the Taliban," the State Department said. Washington is hoping for a political agreement with the insurgents ahead of the Afghan presidential election scheduled for late September. A breakthrough could pave the way for a withdrawal of international troops some 18 years after the 9/11 attacks, which led the US to launch a massive offensive to dislodge the Taliban government from Kabul. The US negotiator has had several meetings with the Taliban in the past year, the most recent being on July 9 in Doha. Earlier, the Taliban and other senior Afghan officials held intra-Afghan talks in the Qatari capital, pledging to deliver a "road map for peace" in Afghanistan.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to return to Afghanistan, Qatar for negotiations

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaking at the US Institute of Peace said he will be<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-government-seeks-clarification-of-donald-trumps-remarks-on-wiping-out-afghanistan-237909"> meeting with the Taliban </a>and "will try his best" for the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government.

"I will meet the Taliban and I will try my best to get them to talk to the Afghan government," Khan said during an appearance at the US Institute of Peace, news wire Reuters reported.

PM Imran Khan added that the&nbsp;Taliban delegation had wanted to meet him a few months back but he did not because of opposition from the Afghan government.

The Pakistan prime minister had met President Trump earlier at the White House where the two leaders discussed ways to end the conflict in Afghanistan.

"I think Pakistan is going to help us out to extricate ourselves," Trump had said while meeting PM Imran Khan at the White House. "We hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement, a political solution," Imran Khan told reporters later.

Meanwhile, the US State Department said US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad will travel to Afghanistan and to Qatar, where he will resume talks with the Taliban, from July 22 to August 1.

President Trump had created a virtual firestorm when he declared that he could win the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/could-win-afghanistan-war-in-a-week-or-ten-days-but-chose-not-to-do-so-says-donald-trump-in-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-237798">Afghan war in "a week or ten days"</a> during his meeting at the White House.

"We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -&nbsp;one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said.

The US president, however, added that he hoped in the coming days the US will be able to "urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -&nbsp;a political solution."

Later on Tuesday, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo called on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Pakistan House in Washington DC. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood and ambassador of Pakistan to USA Asad Majeed Khan were present during the meeting.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaking at the US Institute of Peace said he will be meeting with the Taliban and "will try his best" for the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaking at the US Institute of Peace said he will be meeting with the Taliban and "will try his best" for the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government. "I will meet the Taliban and I will try my best to get them to talk to the Afghan government," Khan said during an appearance at the US Institute of Peace, news wire Reuters reported. PM Imran Khan added that the Taliban delegation had wanted to meet him a few months back but he did not because of opposition from the Afghan government. The Pakistan prime minister had met President Trump earlier at the White House where the two leaders discussed ways to end the conflict in Afghanistan. "I think Pakistan is going to help us out to extricate ourselves," Trump had said while meeting PM Imran Khan at the White House. "We hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement, a political solution," Imran Khan told reporters later. Meanwhile, the US State Department said US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad will travel to Afghanistan and to Qatar, where he will resume talks with the Taliban, from July 22 to August 1. President Trump had created a virtual firestorm when he declared that he could win the Afghan war in "a week or ten days" during his meeting at the White House. "We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days - one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said. The US president, however, added that he hoped in the coming days the US will be able to "urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement - a political solution." Later on Tuesday, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo called on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Pakistan House in Washington DC. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood and ambassador of Pakistan to USA Asad Majeed Khan were present during the meeting.

Will meet the Taliban and get them to talk to Afghan government, says Imran Khan at US Institute of Peace

US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday held talks with India Ambassador to US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the Afghan peace process to end two decades of insurgency in the war-torn country.

Khalilzad, who recently concluded seven-round of talks with the Taliban, indicated the launch of "another mission" to make further progress.

He also met Germany Ambassador to US Emily Haber and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov of Uzbekistan."In addition to briefing management while in DC, I had the opportunity to consult w/ Amb Haber of #Germany, Amb Shringla of #India &amp; Foreign Minister Kamilov of #Uzbekistan on the #AfghanPeaceProcess. Getting ready to launch on another mission in hope of making further progress," tweeted Khalilzad.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
In addition to briefing management while in DC, I had the opportunity to consult w/ Amb Haber of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a>, Amb Shringla of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> &amp; Foreign Minister Kamilov of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Uzbekistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Uzbekistan</a> on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanPeaceProcess?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanPeaceProcess</a>. Getting ready to launch on another mission in hope of making further progress. <a href="https://t.co/SyFCveB5vv">pic.twitter.com/SyFCveB5vv</a>
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1152376101370564608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Recently, Khalilzad concluded the seven-round of talks with the Taliban in Doha.

He termed the last round of talks "most productive".

An earlier round of intra-Afghan talks, which were to be held in April, was called off after the Taliban did not agree on the list of Kabul officials who were supposed to attend the peace talks.

Khalilzad has held scores of talks with the Afghan government in Kabul and abroad, with the Taliban and neighbour Pakistan.

The Taliban have consistently refused to hold direct talks with President Ashraf Ghani's government calling it a puppet administration.

They have, however, readily agreed to talks with any Afghan, including from within the government, but as an ordinary Afghan.

Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who has been conspicuously quiet about the upcoming intra-Afghan dialogue, has consistently demanded Taliban talk directly with the government.&nbsp;

US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday held talks with India Ambassador to US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the Afghan peace process to end two decades of insurgency in the war-torn country.

US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday held talks with India Ambassador to US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the Afghan peace process to end two decades of insurgency in the war-torn country. Khalilzad, who recently concluded seven-round of talks with the Taliban, indicated the launch of "another mission" to make further progress. He also met Germany Ambassador to US Emily Haber and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov of Uzbekistan."In addition to briefing management while in DC, I had the opportunity to consult w/ Amb Haber of #Germany, Amb Shringla of #India & Foreign Minister Kamilov of #Uzbekistan on the #AfghanPeaceProcess. Getting ready to launch on another mission in hope of making further progress," tweeted Khalilzad. In addition to briefing management while in DC, I had the opportunity to consult w/ Amb Haber of #Germany, Amb Shringla of #India & Foreign Minister Kamilov of #Uzbekistan on the #AfghanPeaceProcess. Getting ready to launch on another mission in hope of making further progress. pic.twitter.com/SyFCveB5vv — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) July 20, 2019 × Recently, Khalilzad concluded the seven-round of talks with the Taliban in Doha. He termed the last round of talks "most productive". An earlier round of intra-Afghan talks, which were to be held in April, was called off after the Taliban did not agree on the list of Kabul officials who were supposed to attend the peace talks. Khalilzad has held scores of talks with the Afghan government in Kabul and abroad, with the Taliban and neighbour Pakistan. The Taliban have consistently refused to hold direct talks with President Ashraf Ghani's government calling it a puppet administration. They have, however, readily agreed to talks with any Afghan, including from within the government, but as an ordinary Afghan. Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who has been conspicuously quiet about the upcoming intra-Afghan dialogue, has consistently demanded Taliban talk directly with the government.

US' Zalmay Khalilzad holds talks with Indian envoy ahead of another Afghan peace mission