Karzai set to visit Qatar

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai has been invited by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani to talks on the Afghan-led peace process, a presidential spokesman said on Saturday.

Aimal Faizi said the president would also discuss with his hosts issues concerning bilateral relations during his visit. He did not provide a specific date for the trip, but said it was expected this month.

In January, the Taliban.

Qatar’s welcoming stance, as expressed by a foreign ministry spokesperson, came hard on the heels of a statement from the White House on talks between US President Barack Obama and his Afghan  counterpart in Washington..

The statement said Obama and Karzai would support an office in Doha for the purpose of negotiations between the High Peace Council and authorised representatives of the Taliban.

The statement underlined the need for Taliban and other groups to end violence, cut off ties with Al Qaeda and accept the constitution of Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban say they have suspended talks with the Americans and have no intention to enter dialogue with the Karzai administration.

ma/mud

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