US Envoy Seeks Progress On Afghan War Settlement In 6-Nation Tour - State Department

US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has begun a six-nation trip through South Asia, with separate stops in Russia and the United Kingdom, in an attempt to facilitate a final peace settlement in Afghanistan, the Department of State said in a press release on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd April, 2019) US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has begun a six-nation trip through South Asia, with separate stops in Russia and the United Kingdom, in an attempt to facilitate a final peace settlement in Afghanistan, the Department of State said in a press release on Monday.

"In Kabul, Special Representative Khalilzad will consult with the Afghan government and other Afghans to encourage all parties to work towards intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations to determine a final peace settlement," the release stated. "In London, Moscow, Islamabad, and New Delhi, he will work to build international support for the Afghan peace process to help ensure that any peace settlement reached will be sustainable."

Khalilzad's April 21-May 11 trip will feature visits to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and the United Kingdom, the release said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier in April that Khalilzad's visit to Moscow was planned for April 25, when he will take part in Russia-China-US consultations on Afghanistan.

Critical peace talks between the Taliban movement and the Afghan government in Qatar scheduled last week were postponed after a disagreement over who should attend.

The United States has been holding separate bilateral peace negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar as part of a months-long peace push led by Washington, but thus far, the Taliban has refused to meet with Afghan government representatives.

US-led peace efforts coincide with the onset of the Taliban's annual spring offensive, with the prospect of fresh violence across Afghanistan.