Guterres appoints personal envoy to Afghanistan

SANAA, March 18 (YPA) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appointed French diplomat Jean Arnault as his personal envoy on Afghanistan and regional issues.

The secretary-general has asked Arnault to assist in achieving a political solution to the conflict, working closely with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and regional partners, said Guterres’ press office.

The personal envoy will be responsible for liaison with regional countries to support the negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban, as well as the implementation of any agreements which are reached, said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman.

The announcement came shortly before peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban began Thursday in Moscow at the invitation of Russia, in the presence of representatives from the United States, Pakistan and China.

The negotiations come ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the administration of former President Donald Trump to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, and current President Joe Biden said it would be very difficult to meet that deadline.

E.M