US-Taliban talks wrap up in Doha with 'steady but slow' progress

AFP

KABUL -- The United States and the Taliban said Thursday (May 9) that they made progress, but at a slow pace, as they wrapped up their latest talks, which went ahead even as the insurgents bombed an aid group in Kabul.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US envoy heading the effort to negotiate an end to the Afghan war, said that the sixth round of peace talks, held in the Qatari capital of Doha, began to explore the "nitty gritty" of a peace plan.

"We made steady but slow progress on aspects of the framework for ending the #Afghan war," Khalilzad tweeted.

"However, the current pace of talks isn't sufficient when so much conflict rages and innocent people die. We need more and faster progress," he said.

The United States is still hoping that the Taliban will agree to a proposal to reduce the violence, said Khalilzad.

"Some progress" did occur, said Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, adding that the two sides will meet again for another round of discussions.

"In general, this round was positive and constructive. Both sides listened to each other with care and patience," Shaheen tweeted.

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