On September 2, a US envoy has met with Afghan president in capital, Kabul, to brief him on latest round of talks with Taliban as a deal nears on ending America’s longest war, an official said Monday. President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman confirmed meeting took place on Sunday night at presidential palace, shortly after American envoy, Zalmay Khalilz, arrived from Qatar. In Qatar, Khalilz h held ninth round of talks with Taliban, which ended without a final agreement. palace soon will release details, Sediq Sediqqi said. Khalilz over weekend said US and insurgent group are “at threshold of an agreement” — even as Taliban attacked capitals of Kunduz and Baghlan provinces in rth.

“We are on verge of ending invasion and reaching a peaceful solution for Afghanistan,” said Taliban spokesman in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen.

Taliban increases attacks 

Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent months to strengn ir negotiating position while United Nations and ors say civilians have suffered, often caught in cross-fire as government forces, backed by US, have pursued militants with airstrikes and raids. Afghanistan was world’s deliest conflict in 2018.

RE: Taliban Launches A ‘massive Attack’ On Afghan City Of Kunduz

US-Taliban war to end? 

A US-Taliban agreement on ending nearly 18 years of fighting is expected to be followed by intra-Afghan talks that include Afghan government, which so far has been sidelined from negotiations. Taliban have refused to talk with Afghan government, calling it a US puppet, but have expressed openness to speaking with Afghan officials in ir personal capacity. insurgent group is at its strongest since US-led invasion to topple its government after Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on US Taliban w control or hold sway over roughly half of Afghanistan. Taliban want all of estimated 20,000 US and NATO forces to leave country and alrey portray ir departure as insurgents’ victory. For its part, US seeks Taliban assurances that Afghanistan will t be a safe haven for extremist groups to plan and launch global terror attacks. A cease-fire also has been discussed. Few details have emerged from this latest round of US-Taliban peace talks, ding to uncertainty as violence increases.

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Agreement to reduce violence

agreement with Taliban “will reduce violence and open door for Afghans to sit toger to negotiate an horable & sustainable peace and a unified, sovereign Afghanistan that does t threaten United States, its allies, or any or country,” Afghan-born Khalilz said on Twitter before his Kabul arrival. A US official with negotiation team ded that “any potential peace deal will t be based on blind trust, but will inste contain clear commitments that are subject to our monitoring and verification.” official spoke on condition of anymity because y were t authorized to discuss matter with media. official ded,

“If and when we are able to anunce an agreement, process will pivot to intra-Afghan negotiations where Taliban will sit with or Afghans and toger y will commit to a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire.”

 RE: Afghan Ambassor: Taliban Attacks Undermine Peace Talks 

 RE: Death Toll In Attack At Afghan Political Office Rises To 20