A spokesperson for the Taliban in Afghanistan said that the group “rejects” peace talks with the Afghan government and would not participate in a peace process unless foreign forces stop attacking its positions and leave the country.
"#Afghanistan's Taliban refuse peace talks with government" https://t.co/SeOagCjqC3
— Matt Lee (@APDiploWriter) March 5, 2016
Talks between the Taliban and Afghan government were previously expected to take place this month in Pakistan; they had been organized by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States. But the group said Saturday it had never agreed to an official peace process.
A spokesperson for Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdulla said the government “has no problem holding the first round of direct peace talks.”
#Taliban refuse direct talks with #Afghanistan govt. https://t.co/ZqDQ1FH5J6
— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) March 5, 2016
The Wall Street Journal reported that Taliban and Afghan officials had met in February in Qatar to discuss the peace talks and efforts to end long-running fighting.
Afghan, Taliban Officials Met to Discuss Efforts to End War https://t.co/yeCRObr1Rb
— WSJ World News (@WSJworld) March 5, 2016
Taliban says will not take part in Afghan peace talks https://t.co/KoKvXrk2vf via @Reuters
— World (@_WorldOfficial) March 5, 2016
(Image: Reuters/Omar Sobhani)
