WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A new date for intra-Afghan peace talks is under discussion and the United States has heard positive things about the formation of an inclusive Afghan government, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Khalilzad also said it would be best if intra-Afghan talks began while there is still a significant U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and that he would soon travel to push for a de-escalation in violence and for the release of prisoners.
The pace of prisoner releases and disagreements over the Afghan government’s composition have both helped delay intra-Afghan talks, which were to begin on March 10.
(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Paul Simao)
