OIC HOLDS TALKS BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT.

Wed 20 January 2021:

Yousef al-Othaimeen, the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held talks on Wednesday with Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar on the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

In a statement, the Jeddah-based organization said discussions were held on the peace process, and forms of support the OIC can provide to the war-torn country.

Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC’s commitment to support the Afghan people, and development projects in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, the Afghan government and the Taliban resumed intra-Afghan dialogue in the Qatari capital Doha aimed at ending a decades-long civil war.

Intra-Afghan talks began after a February 2020 agreement between the Taliban and the United States that sets a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in exchange of security guarantees.

Kabul has insisted on a permanent cease-fire, a demand so far rejected by the insurgents.

FILE PHOTO