ISLAMABAD, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- American Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said the United States wants a "political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban," the U.S. embassy in Pakistan said Thursday.
Khalilzad visited Islamabad from Tuesday to Thursday and met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and members of the diplomatic corps, a U.S. embassy statement said.
"In his meetings, Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the United States' commitment to facilitating a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban that ensures Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism and ends the 40-years-long war in the country," the embassy said.
The U.S. envoy also highlighted that all countries in the region will benefit from peace in Afghanistan, the statement said.
Khan, who received the U.S. envoy on Wednesday, said the United States has sought Pakistan's support in advancing the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
Khan welcomed the U.S. initiative about seeking a political settlement in Afghanistan through dialogue with all the stakeholders including Taliban.
"Pakistan will continue its positive role in seeking a political settlement in Afghanistan to bring peace and stability to the region. Pakistan has always been playing an active role to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," Khan told cabinet ministers on Thursday.
He said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the world powers, particularly the United States, have recognized Islamabad's contribution to this effect.
The U.S. State Department said Khalilzad will also travell to Afghanistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar with an interagency delegation on this tour from Dec. 2-20.
