The United Nation’s envoy for Afghanistan is set to arrive in Qatar on Tuesday to hold talks with the Afghan government and Taliban representatives this week to push for the resumption of the stalled Afghan peace process, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.
The visit comes as the United States is seeking to shake-up stalled talks between the warring sides, including proposals for an interim government.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons is also expected to meet US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Qatari officials during the visit, the sources said.
These are crucial meetings as the outcome will decide the fate of year-long talks in Doha whether they should be continued or put under a moratorium, one of the sources said.
With peace negotiations in the Qatari capital making little progress and violence in Afghanistan escalating, the United States is trying to build consensus around alternative options with all Afghan sides and key regional players.