‘Interim govt not under discussion’

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Amid the United States efforts for a political settlement to the ongoing war in Afghanistan as well as rumors about establishment of an interim government as part of the peace efforts, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Monday that the issue is not under consideration.

He said an interim government is not in favor of the Afghan people.

“Discussions are herd about the formation of an interim government. Creating an interim situation or establishing an interim government is not under discussion at all,” Abdullah reiterated.

Abdullah, who addressed the Council of Ministers meeting, said the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has arrived in Kabul and that he will discuss peace efforts with him.

“Mr. Khalilzad arrived in Kabul last night and we will meet him today,” Abdullah said. “The meeting with him will be about the peace process and about what we can contribute (to the process) as the government of Afghanistan and as people of this country so that it changes into an opportunity to bring peace to the country. The demands of an absolute majority of Afghan people should be addressed in this process.”

He said that peace and elections should not be merged with each other and that the two issues should be discussed on their place.

“We will face hurdles if we very much connect the two issues which are elections and peace talks; therefore, it is quite important to focus the two issues on their places,” he said. Abdullah said that efforts are underway to create an inclusive delegation for peace talks.

“There was a need for an inclusive delegation for peace talks and efforts are underway in this respect which I hope they will be put into practice,” said Abdullah.

As part of the efforts, President Ghani met with political leaders on Saturday to consult the peace process with them. (TOLOnews)