US to help negotiators in case of need

DOHA (Pajhwok): US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad says only Afghans, not a third party or facilitators, will talk in the peace dialogue in Doha.

In Doha, Khalilzad told journalists the Afghans themselves would create a roadmap for peace to end the ongoing conflict. The US would provide assistance in case of need.

“We have entered the process which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and there would be no facilitators and mediators. We are ready to cooperate if needed. We will assess and cooperate if any side needed help,” he explained.

Khalilzad added: “In the agreement with the Taliban and in the declaration with the government, there is a point of a reduction in our troops, which includes not only the Americans, but also coalition and NATO forces.”

In the first phase, the diplomat said, the US had reduced its troops to 8,600 and the number would be cut to 4,500 in the second phase during October and November.”

sa/mud