Earlier today, the President spoke with President Karzai of Afghanistan as a part of their regular consultations. They discussed a range of issues, including security transition, preparations for Afghanistan’s 2014 elections, and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation efforts. The leaders welcomed Afghan security forces’ increasingly assuming lead security responsibility across the country. They also look forward to the spring 2013 milestone, which will mark a shift in ISAF’s mission from combat to support, as Afghan forces assume the operational lead across the country. President Karzai affirmed his support for an inclusive process of preparing for Afghanistan’s 2014 elections, and the leaders noted that free, fair, and credible elections would be critical to Afghanistan’s future and continued international support. The President welcomed President Karzai’s recent discussions in Doha with Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani regarding Afghan-led peace and reconciliation. President Karzai welcomed the March 25 handover of the Parwan detention facility to Afghan control. The leaders committed that their teams would continue to keep dangerous detainees off the battlefield and work in partnership at the facility, consistent with Afghan sovereignty.
Tag Archives: Khalifa Al Thani
Afghan leader in Qatar to discuss peace talks
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met with the Emir of Qatar in Doha to discuss the possible opening of a Taliban office in the Gulf state.
The move could foster the peace process with the Islamic fundamentalist movement in a bid to stem violence as foreign combat forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
The Qatar News Agency says Karzai met with the emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and other senior government officials on Sunday. It also says he held talks with Qatar‘s ambassador to Pakistan during a tour of an Islamic art museum in Doha.
The report didn’t give details, but Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai has said the talks would include the peace process and the opening of a Taliban office.
Syrian opposition takes seat at Arab summit
Syrian opposition representatives have taken Syria‘s seat at an Arab League summit held in Qatar in a significant diplomatic boost for the forces fighting President Bashar Assad‘s regime.
A four-man delegation led by Mouaz al-Khatib, former president of the Syrian National Coalition, took the seats assigned for Syria on Tuesday at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The decision for the opposition to take Syria‘s seat was made at the recommendation of Arab foreign ministers earlier this week in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Syria‘s membership in the Arab League was suspended in 2011 in punishment for its crackdown on the opposition.