U.S. signs deal with Taliban for withdrawal of coalition force from Afghanistan

After months of talks, the United States has signed the deal which includes the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, in Qatar’s capital Doha. Based on reports, the deal signed in Doha by U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban’s political chief Mullah Abdulgani Baradar will pave the way for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops in Afghanistan within 14 months and will be an end to the 18-year war.

It is reported that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also attended the signing ceremony of the agreement as an “observer”.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the signed agreement was a good step forward, but it had not been easy to this stage.

Esper said, “The continuation of peace in Afghanistan depends on patience and reconciliation by all sides”. Esper who met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, the Afghan capital, at the time of the agreement’s signing said “The continuation of peace in Afghanistan depends on the patience and reconciliation of all parties”.

On the other hand Gani said at a news conference in the capital Kabul that he hoped the Doha agreement would pave the way for a continuation of peace. He added, “US-Taliban peace will ensure lasting peace. Our people are looking forward to a full ceasefire”.