Afghanistan conflict: US makes new push for UN-led peace process – BBC News

The US secretary of state seeks to jump start stalled talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has made a blunt new push for a UN-led peace effort in Afghanistan.

In a letter to the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Mr Blinken called for a 90-day reduction in violence and a transitional government formed from both sides.

Mr Blinken also said no decision had been made about whether to stick to a planned US troop withdrawal by 1 May.

He called on President Ghani to show “urgent leadership”.

Mr Blinken’s letter, a copy of which was obtained by the obtained by the BBC on Sunday, reflected the difficult position the US finds itself in as it reviews whether to withdraw its last 2,500 troops.

A deal struck with the Taliban during the Trump administration in February 2020 committed the US to withdrawing by 1 May, but Afghan officials fear the move would create enormous security challenges.

Mr Blinken warned in his letter that the Taliban could make “rapid territorial gains” across the country in a “spring offensive”.

Source: Afghanistan conflict: US makes new push for UN-led peace process – BBC News