The UN special envoy for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA Deborah Lyons spoke with a Taliban delegation led by Mullah Baradar, deputy chief of the group and head of its political office in Doha, discussing the prisoner releases and the start of intra-Afghan peace talks at the earliest, tweeted Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the group.
“Today, IEA Deputy-Amir and Head of the Political Office, Mullah Bradar Akhund, and his accompanying delegation met Ms Deborah Lyons, Special Representative and Head of UNAMA. They emphasized on earlier release of the prisoners and inception of intra-Afghan negotiations,” said Shaheen in a tweet.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also confirmed the meeting, saying the two sides highlighted the need for completing the prisoner release process and “swiftly” moving toward peace talks.
“UN #Afghanistan envoy @DeborahLyons & Taliban Dep. leader Mullah Baradar today discussed need to finalize prisoner issue & move swiftly to talks. The critical requirement of humanitarians having full access to help people fight disease & hunger without obstacles was highlighted,” the UN mission said.
The meeting comes ahead of a Loya Jirga which is said to be convened on Friday, August 07, aiming to come up with a decision on the fate of 400 Taliban prisoners, who are accused of serious crimes.
The prisoner swap is said to be the only remaining obstacle in the path toward peace. With completion of the process, the intra-Afghan talks will begin to end the longest-running war of Afghanistan.
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