The international community has welcomed the signing of the historic US-Taliban peace agreement as an important step in achieving a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan.
Representatives of the US and the Talibanon Saturday signed the long-awaited deal in the Qatari capital city of Doha,calling for a gradual withdrawal of American troops if the militants negotiateswith the Afghan government and cuts ties with terrorist groups, reports Xinhuanews agency.
According to the deal, the US is going toreduce its troops to 8,600 in Afghanistan within 135 days, and will, togetherwith its NATO allies, completely pull out the remaining one in the following 14months if the Taliban stuck to its commitments.
The pact also sets the stage forintra-Afghan talks which were expected by March 10.
Speaking at the White House on Saturday, USPresident Donald Trump said that the first withdrawals were starting”immediately” and he expected to “personally” meet Talibanleaders in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Taliban said in a statementthat it had reached an agreement “about the termination of occupation ofAfghanistan”.
“The accord about the completewithdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan and never intervening in itsaffairs in the future is undoubtedly a great achievement,” it added.
Addressing the signing ceremony, QatariForeign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani expressed hope that”this historic agreement will contribute to achieving peace, stability andprosperity in the region and the world”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres onSaturday welcomed the “efforts to achieve a lasting political settlementin Afghanistan” following the deal.
“The Secretary-General welcomesefforts to achieve a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan. Today’sevents in Doha and Kabul mark important developments in this regard,” UNspokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General stresses theimportance of sustaining the nationwide reduction in violence, for the benefitof all Afghans. He encourages continued efforts by all parties to create anenabling environment for the intra-Afghan negotiations and a comprehensivepeace process,” the statement said.
Calling the signing of the deal thebeginning of a “reconciliation process,” Pakistani Prime Minister ImranKhan said that his country was committed to playing its role in ensuring theagreement holds and succeeds in bringing peace to Afghanistan.
“We welcome the Doha Accord signedbetween US & the Taliban. This is the start of a peace & reconciliationprocess to end decades of war & suffering of the Afghan people,” hetweeted.
Saudi Arabia on Saturday also welcomed thesigning of the deal.The deal would contribute to bringing stabilityback to Afghanistan and promote regional and international security, the SaudiForeign Ministry said in a statement.