WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has urged the Afghan people to embrace a new future as the US prepares to sign a peace deal with the Taliban.
The US President announced top Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would attend the signing of the peace deal with the Afghan Taliban in the Qatari capital Doha.
“Soon, at my direction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will witness the signing of an agreement with representatives of the Taliban,” President Trump announced in a statement on Friday.
He added that the deal had the potential to create “a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home”.
“Ultimately it will be up to the people of Afghanistan to work out their future,” Trump said. “We, therefore, urge the Afghan people to seize this opportunity for peace and a new future for their country.”
The agreement would see the Taliban agree to hold talks with the Afghan government, which they have dismissed in the past.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper will be in Kabul on Saturday to sign a joint declaration with the Afghan government in this connection.
Trump said the deal makes Afghanistan’s strategic importance, as the country has been plagued by violence and instability for years.
Calling upon Afghan parties to work towards achieving peace through the ongoing peace process, he said the agreement is a positive move towards rebuilding institutions in the region.
Trump said eventually it will be up to the people of Afghanistan to work out their future. The US, therefore, urges the Afghan people as well as leadership to seize this opportunity for peace and a new future for their country.
