U.S. Afghanistan envoy heads to Turkey and region to push talks to end conflict

U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad attends a news briefing following the Afghan peace conference in Moscow

March 27, 2021, 9:06 PM·1 min read

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has departed for Turkey and the region, the U.S. State Department said on Saturday, in a push to encourage Afghan parties to accelerate negotiations to end conflict in the country.

The State Department said in a statement that Khalilzad began the trip on Thursday.

"He will engage the two sides on their preparatory efforts for talks on a political settlement that produces a permanent ceasefire and a durable and just peace," the State Department said, referring to the Afghan government and the Taliban.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Jan Harvey)

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U.S. Afghanistan envoy heads to Turkey and region to push talks to end conflict

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