Foreign troops to leave Afghanistan in 18 months

SANAA, Jan. 27 (YPA) – US negotiators agreed on Saturday agreed on a draft peace deal that provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan within 18 months, ending probably the longest-running US war, Taliban officials said.

Taliban officials provided details to Reuters at the end of six days of talks with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar aimed at ending the war, more than 17 years since American-led forces invaded Afghanistan

The draft provides for the departure of troops within 18 months of the agreement being signed.

While no joint statement was issued, Khalilzad tweeted later that the talks had made “significant progress” and would resume shortly, adding that he planned to travel to Afghanistan to meet government officials.

“The meetings here (in Qatar) were more constructive than in the past. We have made significant progress on vital issues, “he said, adding that many issues still needed more work.

Sameera Hassn