Khalilzad implores Afghans to "not let this opportunity for peace to slip away"

Today, in a series of announcements on Twitter, United States Special Representative to Afghanistan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, spoke of President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Doha for the ongoing peace negotiations, and his meeting with Gen. Austin Miller - commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

Khalilzad added that President Ghani was assured of ongoing American support, not only military and economic support, but also the continued progression of peace talks, and a mutually acceptable power sharing settlement to end decades of conflict and civil strife. Furthermore, Khalilzad mentioned that President Ghani was supportive of the negotiations by the Islamic Republic, and was encouraged by their commitment to sustained peace and stability in the country; with the ambassador adding that “Afghans should not let this opportunity for peace to slip away”.

Ambassador Khalilzad mentioned that the United States fully endorses and supports an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” process, calling upon all the international community and all regional partners to play a constructive role in the process, adding that “we are pressing for a significant reduction in violence” and “a comprehensive ceasefire” - which would save lives, and broaden support for peace.