US seeks UN backing for Taliban peace deal to end Afghan war

United States is seeking U.N. Security Council backing for ambitious peace deal it signed with Taliban aimed at ending America’s longest war and bringing U.S. troops home from Afghanistan.

A U.S. draft resolution, obtained Thursday evening by Associated Press, would welcome Feb. 28 anuncement of agreement.

It would also encour “ sustained support” of United Nations and international partners for efforts toward peace, including convening of “intra-Afghan negotiations in order to achieve a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire.”

draft resolution would also affirm “that any political settlement must protect rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and mirities.” This was an addition from original draft sought by council members who want to ensure that women’s rights are protected and Taliban doesn’t return to its previous draconian measures, including barring women from education and work.

READ | Taliban Attacks Kill 20 Afghan Soldiers Hours After Trump Call: Report

According to U.S.-Taliban deal, peace negotiations between warring Afghan sides are supposed to begin March 10. However, Afghan government has already rejected releasing Taliban prisoners ahead of launching talks, a precondition that militants say was part of U.S. agreement.

Security Council scheduled closed consultations on draft resolution for Friday at Russia’s request.

draft resolution would also welcome intention of Afghan government and Taliban to pursue additional confidence-building measures to create conditions conducive for talks. And it would call for additional reductions in violence and international support for Afghanistan prior to a cease-fire agreement.

It would express council’s readiness to review sanctions on individuals and groups once intra-Afghan negotiations start “in order to support peace process,” stressing that Taliban’s actions in reducing violence and advancing talks will affect review.

draft would ackwledge Afghan people’s demand for lasting peace and an end to war and recognize “that a sustainable peace can be achieved only through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process that leads to an inclusive negotiated political settlement.”

READ | US Defense Leaders: Taliban Peace Deal Results Mixed

READ | US Retaliates With Airstrike After Taliban Kills 20 Soldiers