Taliban 'Wants Peaceful Solution and Good Relations' with All Countries

Doha, June 18 (QNA) - HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali bin Fahad Al Hajri opened on Tuesday the political office of Taliban Afghanistan in Doha. The opening ceremony was attended by member of the political office Maulavi Jan Mohammed and Taliban spokesperson Mohammed Naim. Taliban 'wants good relations with all countries of the world' and will pursue 'every legitimate way' for a peaceful and political solution to end the protracted war in Afghanistan, the Islamic movement's representative said here on Tuesday. Al Hajri, in his address to the media said, the decision (to open the political office) stems from Qatar's keenness to "contribute to the enhancement of international peace efforts and giving opportunities to peaceful resolve conflicts through dialogue and negotiations". The State of Qatar has exerted strenuous efforts to reach a convergence of view between the US government officials and the representatives of Taliban from Afghanistan. These efforts resulted in the agreement on the opening of a political office for the Afghanistan Taliban in Doha, he said and commended the constructive attitude shown by both the parties to agree on the opening of the office. "We are confident that the activity of this office will help push the peace process in Afghanistan forward and facilitate the efforts of relief and humanitarian assistance extended to the Afghan people," Al Hajri said. He reiterated Qatar "will exert all possible efforts to bring about and peace and stability in Afghanistan and expressed confidence that the newly opened office will not practice in any activity that is incompatible with either with Qatar's laws or international law including the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions as well as Qatar's international commitments. Speaking at a news conference here to announce the opening of the political office of Taliban Afghanistan, Taliban spokesperson Mohammed Naim said, "We want to keep good relations with all world countries, including neighbouring countries on the basis of mutual respect. We want security and justice at the world level. We do not want to pose harm to other countries from Afghanistan's soil." Oppressed nations have legitimate rights "to liberate their countries from colonialism and obtain their rights", he told the media in his native language at the conference held in the new office. To further their policy goals, the opening of the political office of the Taliban Afghanistan was essential to achieving the goals, Naim said and listed five key objectives:- 'To reach an understanding and initiate talks with all countries and improving relations with them; support political and peaceful solution to end the occupation of Afghanistan and establish and independent Islamic system; hold meetings with Afghans; initiate contact with the United Nations, regional and global NGOs and put out political statements to the media on the current political developments. In conclusion Naim thanked the State of Qatar and HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. (END)