The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke Saturday with the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, condemning the Taliban’s recent announcement of spring offensive and expressed US solidarity with Afghans seeking peace in the war-ravaged country, the US Department of State said in a statement.
He also expressed the United States’ disappointment over the postponement of an intra-Afghan dialogue, which was scheduled for Friday in Qatar, according to the statement.
Negotiating parities believed the Qatar summit would presents an important opportunity to advance peace in Afghanistan.
Pompeo encouraged all sides to seize the moment and reach an understanding on participants, so that an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue can be convened in Doha as soon as possible, local media reported.
· UN Condemns Taliban Notice of Spring Offensive
According to Presidential Palace (also ARG), the Doha meeting was canceled upon the disagreement of Qatari government with the Afghan delegation’s formation.
Cancelation of the long awaited meeting led to a widespread reaction by Afghan critics and former Taliban members who called it “disappointing” and a “lost opportunity” towards peace in the country.
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