06:1- US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the start of the Afghanistan peace negotiations marks a historic moment in the Afghan peace process and is an important step to advance the President’s South Asia Strategy.
It is crucial for both sides to take advantage of this opportunity to make a truly Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process a success, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says.
5:57- “We will do our part but the Afghans will have to do their part--those who want peace and to resist, not to be manipulated and to look beyond their immediate interest to the interest of the country and to the desires of the people,” US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says.
5:43- US Sec. Pompeo says he met with the Taliban political deputy leader Mullah Baradar to mark the occasion of the start of talks.
“The Taliban must seize this opportunity to forge a political settlement and reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire to end 40 years of war. This effort must be Afghan led," he says.
5:37- US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says there are countries and organizations who are willing to help in the Afghan peace process, however: “This is really Afghan-owned, Afghan-led, they don’t want any foreigners in the negotiating room, both sides."
5:28- Taliban negotiator Mullah Abdul Mannan says that an Islamic govt will be established and that Afghans will decide on the type of govt.
5:18- Qatari's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, the Qatari foreign ministry says.
4:59- Atmar denies the report that the Taliban deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar opposed his presence in a meeting with Abdullah Abdullah.
4:50- Atmar says the first direct meeting between the delegates of Afghanistan and Taliban was held and they discussed technical issues.
Atmar says the Afghan govt has released over 6,000 Taliban prisoners, 5,000 of them on the Taliban list. He says the govt made a sincere attempt to remove all barriers in the way of talks.
Atmar says the goal is to create the required support for peace and to preserve trust.
4:34- The Taliban negotiating team has assigned Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Abbas Stanekzai, Noorullah Noori, Shaikh Delawar and Shaikh Qasim as their contact group.
The contact group for the Afghan govt will be chief negotiator Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai and Nader Nadery, Fawzia Koofi, Zarar Ahmad Muqbil, Mawlawi Enayatullah Baligh, Mohammad Natiqi and Khalid Noor. They will speak for the group on agenda, schedule and other issues.
4:12- The Taliban released 22 Afghan govt prisoners as a goodwill gesture for the peace negotiations, says spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
3:57- "Our satisfaction that we will never be threatened again, that the commitments made by both sides, the government and the Taliban about terrorism, that's simply put the most important condition," US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says. (Source: AP)
3:47- "What has happened already is the main part of today. Afghans sitting across the table, talking to each other, talking about peace, talking about their aspirations," US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says.
"This is a historic opportunity for them (Afghan govt and Taliban delegates), and that they shouldn't miss this opportunity. And so, hopefully they will move but we recognize that there's a lot of mistrust," US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says.
3:15- Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, met with Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations.
3:05- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US's top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Scott Miller, met with Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and his team.
2:39- Afghan and Taliban delegates have held a meeting behind closed doors hours after the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations, according to TOLOnews reporters in Doha.
2:31- A source says that the Taliban deputy leader opposed the presence of acting Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar in his meeting with Abdullah Abdullah, head of the reconciliation council. The two sides will meet this afternoon.
2:25- "Iran welcomes the start of intra-Afghan talks between the Afghan govt, political factions and the Taliban and hopes that these negotiations lead to... lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and in the region," said Iran's foreign ministry.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says Iran has often insisted that the problems in Afghanistan have no military solution and that the presence of the US is “one of the reasons for the continuation of war in Afghanistan.”
Iran says a responsible withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is needed to achieve peace in Afghanistan.
2:16- Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Doha. In this meeting, Pompeo pledged the US’s continued support to Afghan peace, Abdullah’s office says.
1:52- German envoy Markus Potzel says the start of the negotiations will be a historic day if the two sides of the talks move toward peace in Afghanistan.
1:36- Mawlawi Khairullah Khairkhwah, a member of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, says the negotiations are only between Afghans and there is no "foreigner side" in the talks. He says they want a govt that isn't corrupt and is acceptable to all Afghans.
1:34- Abdul Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the Afghan govt's negotiating team, says that Pompeo during his remarks communicated that if Afghans are interested in US assistance they should consider democracy, human rights and the achievements of the last 19 years.
1:24- Abdul Salam Hanafi, a member of the Taliban's negotiating team, says Afghans should solve their problems themselves.
12:51- The Taliban’s negotiating team member Suhail Shaheen says the group hopes that the negotiations are a step toward lasting peace, ending the "occupation," and ensuring an inclusive Islamic system. He says a ceasefire will be part of the talks.
12:45- The return of an Islamic system and the release of the remaining 7,000 to 8,000 prisoners are among key issues that will be discussed in the negotiations, says Mohammad Naeem, the Taliban's spokesman in Qatar. Naeem says a ceasefire will be part of the intra-Afghan negotiations.
12:24- OIC chief Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen says the Organization of Islamic Cooperation supports the peace process in Afghanistan and says that over the last one and a half years, OIC has asked all Afghan stakeholders to engage in dialogue.
12:17- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says NATO is now adjusting its troop presence in Afghanistan to support the Afghan peace process.
12:14- Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, says the achievements of Afghans be preserved.
12:11- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says women should participate meaningfully in the peace process.
12:10- Suzuki Keisuke, Japan’s state minister for foreign affairs, says Japan supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and urges the negotiation process to solve all disputes through constructive talks.
12:07- UK Minister for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, says the United Kingdom firmly believes that a political process is the only way to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan.
12:05- Finland's foreign minister Pekka Olavi Haavisto, speaking at the opening ceremony, says inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations are a key element in the process.
12:03- Spain's foreign minister Arancha González encourages all sides to work together for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.
12:00- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's external affairs minister, says any peace process must be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and that it should promote women’s rights.
11:54- Qureshi: Pakistan will always support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and sovereign Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours.
11:52- Pakistan’s FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi, speaking at the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan talks in Doha, says that Pakistan has "fully facilitated the process" that culminated in the US-Taliban peace agreement in Doha on February 29, 2020.
11:51- Germany's foreign minister, Heiko Mass, said at intra-Afghan opening ceremony: "You, as their representatives, have a unique chance to serve your country."
11:47- TOLOnews reporters in Doha say that the heads of the delegations have left the opening ceremony to engage in bilateral and trilateral meetings.
11:41- The talks in Doha will be a fundamental stage for the start of the reconciliation of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan's foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov says, adding that the process must be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
11:36- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China recommends that the peace process keeps to the fundamental direction of the political settlement, that the negotiations be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, and that all pursue the goal of a broad-based and inclusive framework.
11:30- Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, says Turkmenistan will continue its support to Afghanistan and the peace process in the country.
11:25- "I trust that the parties will strive for an end to violence, and for a settlement that protects the rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities," Norwegian Foreign Minister says.
11:19- "As you make your decisions, you should keep in mind that your choices and conduct will affect both the size and scope of future US assistance. Our hope is that you reach a sustainable peace, and our goal is an enduring partnership," Pompeo says.
11:16- "It took hard work and sacrifice to reach this moment, and it will require hard work and sacrifice to keep it alive, and to take advantage of it so that the talks result in a durable peace," says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the opening of the intra-Afghan negotiations.
11:16- "You carry a great responsibility, but you are not alone. The entire world wants you to succeed," Pompeo says.
11:13- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the opening ceremony of intra-Afghan negotiations in Qatar.
11:12- Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar says the Taliban assures Afghans that they will conduct the negotiations sincerely. He says Afghanistan should have an Islamic system in which all Afghans should see themselves represented and live together in a brotherly way.
11:06- Abdullah: The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, democracy, elections, freedom of speech, women’s rights, minorities’ rights, rule of law, civil rights and human rights are the biggest achievements of Afghans.
11:05- Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha.
10:56- Abdullah says that he can say for sure that each freed prisoner is happy to be home, but there is the opportunity to take this happiness to every Afghan home by making the current peace negotiations a success and by announcing a ceasefire and an end to the war.
10:46- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says the State of Qatar continues to support the peace process in Afghanistan. He says they appreciate the support from the US and other countries in the process.
10:38- The Russian envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kaboluv, attending the opening ceremony of the Afghan peace negotiations, expresses hope that this ceremony does not remain just a ceremony, but is the start of peace in Afghanistan.
10:18- Habiba Sarabi, a member of the Afghan govt's negotiating team, criticizes the absence of women from the Taliban’s negotiating team. She says she expects tough talks between both sides.
10:15- Fawzia Koofi, a member of the negotiating team from Kabul, says the team hopes that participants in the talks will accept Afghanistan's diversity and especially women’s rights. “We expect (diverse) groups to ultimately be a part of Afghan society,” she says.
10:04- The US and NATO forces commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Scott Miller, is also attending the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations.
09:58- State Minister for Peace Affairs Sayed Sadat Mansoor Naderi says the opening ceremony of the peace negotiations will start at 9am Qatar time (10:30am Kabul time).
09:58- Batur Dostum, a member of Afghanistan’s negotiating team, says the negotiations may take time but the start of the talks is "good news" for the country.
09:55- Mullah Mohammad Daud, a member of the Taliban's political office in Qatar who is attending the opening ceremony of the negotiations, says he is happy about the start of the talks.
He says "war is not good."
09:50- Members of Afghanistan's negotiating team arrive at the hall where the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations will be held.
The opening ceremony of the much-awaited intra-Afghan negotiations will be held today in Qatar, attended by politicians from Afghanistan, the United States and other key nations and international organizations.
Friday, 11:27pm:
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Doha on Friday night to attend the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations on Saturday.
Pompeo said in a tweet that Afghans deserve a country that isn't at war, and "we are here to support them in building a roadmap to a peaceful future.”
The event will be held this morning. Over a dozen foreign dignitaries and heads of international organizations will speak at the opening.
Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, will open the event with remarks and he will be followed by Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
