Iran Press/Iran news: Iran’s envoy to a meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan Rassoul Eslami has reiterated Tehran’s support for the Afghan peace process, praising the key role played by the Kabul government in restoring peace to the war-torn country.
Rassoul Eslami made the comments in a Thursday address to the meeting hosted by London and attended by about 80 representatives from over 50 countries, international and regional organizations, and the Afghan government, IRNA reported on Saturday.
The government of Afghanistan, as the representative of the Afghan people, plays a pivotal role in peace efforts, the Iranian envoy said, calling for the cooperation of various political factions with the Kabul government on the process.
He also urged all neighbors of Afghanistan to lend their support to the Afghan peace efforts.
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Eslami further noted that a military approach to the crisis in Afghanistan has failed to restore peace and security to the country, and the timeframe announced for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan will be a wise move to prepare the grounds for the beginning of peace talks.
More than 17 years of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan at the top of a military coalition have brought nothing but chaos and insecurity to the country as a result of which all forms of organized crime, especially production of illicit drugs, have been skyrocketing. The country has also turned into a hotbed of violent acts by major terror outfits, especially Daesh (also known as ISIS).
The Thursday meeting in London was attended by US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad who has been heading separate talks with the Taliban militant group.
After several rounds of talks between the two sides, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Friday that “An agreement was reached on a principle framework…which, if implemented, and if the Americans take honest steps and stick to it truthfully, then God willing we are hopeful that the Americans will end the occupation of Afghanistan.”
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He claimed a complete foreign troop pullout would pave the way for “the establishment of an Islamic system,” which would be sought through “negotiations with different political sides, even if they have so far been under the umbrella of the invaders.”
On Jan. 05, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul have emphasized on the need for peace in Afghanistan. 101/ 211 /201
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