Afghan peace talks begin in Doha

SANAA, Sept. 12 (YPA) – Talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban to end a nearly 20-year conflict that has devastated the country and the deaths of tens of thousands of fighters and civilians will begin in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, Officials, diplomats and analysts say that although bringing the two sides together at the negotiating table is an achievement in itself, it does not mean that the road to peace will be easy,

“Negotiations must address a series of deep questions about what kind of country afghans want,” Deborah Lyons, the UN special representative in Afghanistan, told the UN Security Council this month.

The talks begin with an opening ceremony attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The talks are held one day after the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States that led to its military intervention in Afghanistan.

The agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban in February in an effort to find a political settlement to end the war provided for negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement, stated the withdrawal of forces .

After a months-long delay, a dispute over the Taliban’s request for the release of 5,000 prisoners was resolved last week.

President Donald Trump is also looking forward to showing progress in his pledge to end US intervention and withdraw most foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan ahead of the November presidential election.

E.M