Qatari Govt And Taliban Confirms Intra-Afghan Talks Begin From Saturday

Mohammad Naeem Wardak, a spokesman for the Taliban delegation, said in a tweet on Thursday that the opening meeting of the intra-Afghan talks is scheduled for September 12th in Qatar.

Later the Qatari government confirmed the start date:

“The State of Qatar is pleased to announce that the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations will commence in Doha on Saturday the 12th of September 2020…These vitally important direct negotiations between the different Afghan parties represent a step forward in bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan…”

The statement quoted Minister Mutlaq Al Qahtani:

His Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution HE Dr. Mutlaq Al Qahtani, said: “Qatar has always placed great value in the power of diplomacy and direct dialogue to resolve disputes. We will continue our role to create stability in the region. We are thankful for the work and cooperation of all parties and international partners involved and their support in bringing about this historic moment.”

Also on Thursday evening, the Presidential palace said the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will leave for Doha tomorrow (Friday).

According to the statement, the opening ceremony of the peace talks in Doha will be attended by Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Mohammad Haneef Atmar, acting foreign minister, Abdul Salam Rahimi, the President’s special representative for peace, and Syed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, state minister for peace affairs to represent the Afghan government.

Meanwhile, another source told that the six “hardcore” Taliban prisoners whose release was objected to by international allies were transferred from Kabul to Doha today.