Britain should hold talks with the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan, Gavin Williamson says

Mr Williamson, pictured today, told MPs: "We need to find a long term solution to Afghanistan and bring all participants around a table"
Mr Williamson, pictured today, told MPs: "We need to find a long term solution to Afghanistan and bring all participants around a table" Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP

Britain should hold official talks with the Taliban for the first time in order to bring peace to Afghanistan, the Defence Secretary has told MPs.

Gavin Williamson said it was important for the UK to ensure as much stability as possible in Afghanistan, and that Britain was committed to ensuring peaceful elections in the country due later this year.

He admitted it would be “incredibly painful for many people to accept, given the price paid” but warned that “there are many malign reasons why some countries are involved in Afghanistan [so it is] important we energise the peace process”.

Speaking to the Defence Select Committee, he called the offer from the Afghan government for unconditional peace...

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