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Taliban Chief Urges US to Implement Afghan Peace Deal

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The leader of the Taliban said Wednesday that
   implementation of his group's "historic" agreement with the United
   States was key to ending the war in Afghanistan and paving the way for
   U.S. troops to exit the country.

   "The Islamic Emirate [the Taliban] is committed to the agreement signed
   with America and urges the other side to honor its own commitments and
   to not allow this critical opportunity to go to waste," said Mawlawi
   Hibatullah Akhundzada.

   The reclusive Taliban chief made the remarks in a message released in
   connection with the coming annual festival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks
   the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

   "Let us move forward with the implementation phase so that a path is
   paved for the withdrawal of your [U.S.] forces and for peace and
   security to take hold in Afghanistan and the region," Akhundzada said.

   His message coincided with a fresh trip to the region by U.S. peace
   envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated and signed the deal with the
   Taliban on February 29.

   The American envoy visited Qatar for talks with insurgent leaders based
   there prior to meeting Wednesday in Kabul with Afghan President Ashraf
   Ghani.

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