US renews support for Afghan-led peace effort

KABUL Marc Grossman, who arrived in Kabul late on Friday, has reiterated Washington’s support for an Afghan-led reconciliation process.

The US embassy in Kabul said on Saturday Grossman, currently on a swing through the region, would have a meeting with President Hamid Karzai on the current situation in Afghanistan.

Grossman was quoted as saying: “I am pleased to be in Kabul to consult with the government of Afghanistan. The US stands ready to assist in any way we can an Afghan-led reconciliation process to find a peaceful end to this conflict. I look forward to calling on President Karzai and discussing next steps.”  

A week ago, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton reaffirmed the US support for an Afghan-led reconciliation campaign.

Clinton said Grossman was due to travel to Kabul to consult on a whole range of issues with Afghan government. “We have worked for a genuine reconciliation process and we are grateful to Qatar for its assistance.”    

During his trip, Grossman also met Turkish, Saudi Arabia and UAE officials and discussed the Afghan peace dialogues. The diplomat was to visit Pakistan before his arrival in Afghanistan, but Islamabad refused to receive him.

mrh /mud

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