US envoy, Ghani push 'intra-Afghan' talks: Palace

The United States and Afghanistan stressed the need for "intra-Afghan dialogue" when US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held talks on Saturday, a palace statement said.

Their meeting came during a marathon multi-country tour by Khalilzad, who is to visit Qatar -- the usual venue for talks with the Taliban.

"Dr Khalilzad briefed the president and other government officials about his trips and future plans for peace," a palace statement said.

"Both sides once again emphasised an intra-Afghan dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, led by the Afghan government."
Before Khalilzad embarked on his tour, the State Department said that in Doha, the Qatari capital, he will "press forward on negotiations with the Taliban to reach a consensus on core national security issues, and urge their participation in an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue."