The U.S. State Department said its Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will meet with negotiating teams in the Qatari capital of Doha to press both sides to immediately reduce the levels of violence.
“Too many Afghans are dying. The sides urgently need an agreement on a reduction of violence leading to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” read the statement.
Following his trip to Oslo, he was scheduled to travel in Doha, according to the statement. Meeting with officials in Norway, he discussed international coordination and support of the Afghan peace process.
Khalilzad’s visit to Doha comes as the Afghan government and the Taliban have recently scaled up their attacks.
The U.S. envoy himself said in a tweet Tuesday that he returned “to the region disappointed that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened.”
“The window to achieve a political settlement will not stay open forever,” Ambassador Khalilzad said.
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meanwhile has urged warring parties to reduce violence; instead, focus their efforts on achieving success in the ongoing intra-Afghan peace negotiations.
“Deploring the recent surge in violence in Afghanistan that has caused many casualties including women and children, the General Secretariat urged all stakeholders to reduce violence, declare an immediate ceasefire and resort to dialogue as the only way forward towards reaching comprehensive reconciliation and lasting peace in Afghanistan.” the OIC said in a statement.
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