Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
AT News Report
KABUL: The US Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has welcomed the UN Security Council condemnation of Taliban’s spring offensives in Afghanistan, and emphasized on a comprehensive ceasefire.
“We welcome the international community speaking in unison on this point,” he said in a tweet message
“As the UN statement also makes evident, it’s long past time for the war and violence to end, a ceasefire to be put in place, and dialogue and negotiations to begin,” he furthered, adding, for any party to oppose these objectives is to be on the wrong side of history.
He recently said that quickest way to prevent casualties is to agree to a ceasefire. “Taliban senior leadership should allow their representatives to come to the table and discuss. I will continue to press the case,” he tweeted.
He also said that the Afghan people deserve and want a comprehensive ceasefire and negotiations leading to a lasting peace.
On Tuesday, the members of the Security Council recognized the Afghan people’s strong desire for sustainable peace in Afghanistan. They underscored that calls for more fighting will not advance the goal of making a sustainable peace.
They unanimously condemned the Taliban’s announcement of the spring offensive, saying the move would only “result in more unnecessary suffering and destruction for the Afghan people.”
The members of the Security Council called on all parties to the conflict to seize the opportunity to begin an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations that result in a political settlement.
