The Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad visited Kabul on Thursday where met with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

The discussion centered on his regional engagement and Afghan preparations for negotiations to reach a political settlement to the conflict, the US Embassy in Kabul said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said that following the meeting, Special Representative Khalilzad departed Afghanistan for Moscow for discussions on regional peace efforts.

President Ghani’s Office says in a statement that the meeting was held at the Presidential Palace where the Afghan leaders and the US special envoy discussed issues around Ambassador Khalilzad’s multi-nation tour for Afghan peace.

In this meeting, President Ghani appreciated Khalilzad’s efforts for Afghan peace and said the Afghan government announced its negotiations team at Geneva Conference on Afghanistan late last month, the statement said.

“Our will for ensuring peace in Afghanistan is serious,” Ghani said as quoted in the statement.

He added that the joint efforts can help Afghanistan achieve a lasting peace.

Ambassador Khalilzad started his multi-nation tour for Afghan peace this week.

According to the US Department of State, Ambassador Khalilzad’s trip includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The trip will continue until December 20.

The trip is aimed at supporting and facilitating an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan while empowering the Afghan people to decide their nation’s fate, the US Department of State said last week.