Amid stepped-up peace efforts, Ghani due in Saudi Arabia

KABUL (Pajhwok): On the head of a high-level delegation, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani departed for Saudi Arabia on a two days official visit on Saturday afternoon.

During the visit the president will meet king Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, custodian of two holy mosques, on Sunday in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a statement from the presidential palace said.

“Both the dignitary will discuss bilateral relations and ways to further enhance cooperation in various fields. The two sides are set to discuss latest regional and international situation,” the statement said.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) earlier reported President Ghani will arrive in Jeddah and will then head to Makkah to perform Umrah.

The president was accompanied by National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Mohammad Khan, Hajj and Religious Affairs Minister Faiz Mohammad Usmani and other high ranking officials.

Ghani visit to Saudi Arabia came at a time when peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban were a subject of discussion in media.

Hassan Haqyar, political analyst, viewed Ghani visit to the kingdom of immense importance, saying that Arabs could play key role in Afghan peace process.

Haqyar said that Saudi Arabia’s efforts could yield positive result in peace process as the kingdom maintained fraternal relations with Pakistan and had influence on Taliban.

During his visit, the president would stress on greater support of Saudi Arabia to establish peace in the county.

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