The commander of US Central Command, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, has said that fighting in Afghanistan will intensify sharply and Taliban militants could threaten major cities unless a Biden administration diplomatic push to end the 20-year conflict yields results in the next two months, reported Tolo News.
The US general as quoted by Los Angeles Times said: “If we withdraw and no deal was made with the Taliban, I think the government of Afghanistan is going to be in for a very stiff fight to retain possession of towns and cities.”
McKenzie met with President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Saturday and both discussed the security situation, the Afghan peace process and the US’s support to ANDSF, the Presidential Palace said.
Gen. Miller who met last week with Taliban officials in Qatar, has urged them to reduce attacks on Afghan troops in hopes of improving the climate for peace talks, according to the report.
This comes as Afghan leaders are reviewing a US-proposed draft for Afghanistan’s peace that has suggested an international conference and an interim government as part of efforts to move the reconciliation process forward.
Afghan leaders, who met under the leadership committee of the High Council for National Reconciliation on Sunday, agreed that the Afghan republic should thoroughly review the proposed draft for peace and then share it with the United States.
The guiding principles for Afghanistan’s future, the structure of a transitional government, and a political roadmap for a lasting ceasefire are the three significant elements of the draft.
The draft states that when the term of a proposed transitional government ends, the future leader of Afghanistan will be elected through a popular vote.
Courtesy: TOLO NEWS
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