Picture : Twitter / ANI
As the US and the Taliban signed a landmark peace deal, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has welcomed efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of sustaining the nationwide reduction in violence, for the benefit of all Afghans.
As part of the deal, the United States and its allies will withdraw all their forces from Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban abide by an agreement due to be signed in Doha on Saturday, Washington and Kabul said in a joint statement.
After an initial reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days of Saturday”s signing, the US and its partners “will complete the withdrawal of their remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months… and will withdraw all their forces from remaining bases”, the declaration stated.
The Doha accord would see thousands of American troops quit Afghanistan in a phased plan after more than 18 years in return for various security commitments from the insurgents and a pledge to hold talks with the government in Kabul.
“The Secretary-General welcomes efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan. Events in Doha and Kabul mark important developments in this regard,” a statement issued by Guterres’ spokesperson said.
The UN Chief expressed his appreciation to the State of Qatar for hosting the talks between the United States and the Taliban.
“The Secretary-General stresses the importance of sustaining the nationwide reduction in violence, for the benefit of all Afghans. He encourages continued efforts by all parties to create an enabling environment for the intra-Afghan negotiations and a comprehensive peace process,” the statement said.
Guterres also expressed hope that the deeply held aspirations of the Afghan people for peace will be realised, through an inclusive Afghan-led process with the meaningful participation of women and youth.
He reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the people and Government of Afghanistan.
Pakistan too has welcomed the signing of a peace deal between the US and the Taliban, saying it would continue to support every effort being made to bring peace in Afghanistan. The deal signing ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi among several other dignitaries.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that Qureshi welcomed the agreement and said that the agreement carried immense importance for Afghanistan, the region and beyond.
“Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours,” the statement quoted Qureshi as saying. He underlined that Pakistan had fulfilled its part of the responsibility in terms of facilitating the peace agreement.
