Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells visited Kabul on Saturday and Sunday and met with Afghan officials and international partners.  

In a press release issued by the US Embassy in Kabul, Wells underscored continued US support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process and the need for an honorable and dignified path to ending the conflict.  

Her discussions also focused on the importance of holding timely, credible, and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections and ensuring Afghan citizens can safely cast their votes, the statement read.

During her visit, Wells met with President Ashraf Ghani, CEO Abdullah Abdullah, acting foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani, National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, High Peace Council Chairman Karim Khalili, members of the Independent Election Commission, and other Afghan leaders.  

Wells also met with international partners to discuss ongoing US and international community support for efforts to promote long-term peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

About 10 days ago, Wells told the US Committee on Foreign Affairs that the Trump administration would support all stakeholders, including the Afghan government, to reach a negotiated settlement to the decades old conflict. 

She also said that the administration would not allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists. 

At the time, she called on the Taliban to give up violence, end relations with al-Qaeda, submit to the Constitution of Afghanistan, and ensure protection of women’s rights.