Karzai off to Doha for US-Islamic World Forum

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai, heading a high-level delegation, on Sunday left for Qatar to participate in a three-day international conference in Doha, his office said

Organised jointly by Brookings Project on US Relations with the Islamic World and Qatar, the US-Islamic World Forum — titled “A Decade of Dialogue” begins today at Ritz-Carlton in Doha.

President Karzai, Qatari Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, former US ambassador to UN Thomas Pickering, Egyptian Minister for International Cooperation Amr Darrag and OIC Secretary-General  Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu are among the participants.

A statement from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said Karzai would also hold talks with Qatari leaders on enhanced bilateral relations, as well as the ongoing process for reconciliation with the Afghan Taliban.

Aimed to foster improved relations between the United States and Muslim countries around the globe, the conference will focus on the conflicts in Afghanistan and several Arab nations.

The participants will highlight the changing landscape in South Asia, assessing how foreign withdrawals from Afghanistan and the historic transfer of power in Pakistan will affect prospects for internal and regional security.

Working groups will assess how economic growth and inclusiveness can be promoted at a time of continued political instability, including a discussion on the conflict in Syria and its effect on the Middle East.

Karzai is accompanied by his Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, High Peace Council Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, Advisor on International Affairs Yahya Maroofi and other officials.

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