The US special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, and a US inter-agency delegation, including the National Security Council and Department of Defense will meet with Afghan government leaders, politicians and women’s groups to hear their views on the peace process, the State Department said in a statement.
He met with Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, and discussed the new chapter of cooperation between Afghanistan and the United States, the peace process and other relevant matters, according to a statement by Abdullah's office.
Khalilzad and the US delegation accompanying him met with President Ghani this morning.
Expanded cooperation and the continuation of political, diplomatic, security, defensive and economic ties were discussed at the meeting, the Presidential Palace said.
Khalilzad and the delegation have departed on June 4 for travel to Kabul, Doha, and the region, the statement said.
“The delegation will underscore enduring US support for Afghanistan’s development and a political settlement that will end the war. In Doha, Ambassador Khalilzad will continue to encourage both sides to make tangible progress towards a political settlement that protects the gains of the last two decades,” the statement said.
Khalilzad will also meet with leaders from regional countries to discuss the Afghanistan peace process and the potential for increased regional trade, commerce, and development that peace might bring, the statement added.
US President Joe Biden announced in April to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11. The announcement was followed by concerns about the political future of Afghanistan.
Pentagon officials have said that one-quarter of the withdrawal has been completed. The US forces have handed some bases to Afghan forces, including the New Kabul Compound, known as NKC, in Kabul.
Violence has remained high in Afghanistan despite a three-day ceasefire from May 13 to May 15 during the Eid days. Security officials reported clashes between government forces and the Taliban in at least 10 provinces on Friday.
The peace negotiations in Doha have had no progress following the US announcement of withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan. The majority of the Afghan Republic negotiators returned to Doha last week with the hope to resume the stalled talks with the Taliban.