KABUL (SW) – Differences between the Taliban and the Afghan government over
the official peace delegates led to cancellation of peace conference in
Qatar.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s office said in a statement late on
Thursday the Qatari government has failed to meet the legitimate demands
of the Afghan people by not accepting an inclusive delegation of some 250
men and women, and instead imposing a list of its own. “After preparations
were finalized for the delegation’s trip [to Doha], surprisingly a list
came from Qatar last night which lacked proper public representation and
was insult to national spirit and decision of the people of Afghanistan,
and is not acceptable to the Afghans”, the presidency said.

The U.S. on Friday expressed disappointment over postponement of the
proposed landmark peace conference among between the Taliban and an Afghan
peace delegation from Kabul.

Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan
Reconciliation, said in a series of tweets that Washington is in touch
with all parties, and encourage all to remain committed to dialogue to end
the raging conflict in the war-ravaged country. “Dialogue is and always
will be key to a political roadmap and lasting peace. There is no
alternative. I urge all sides to seize the moment and put things back on
track by agreeing to a participant list that speaks for all Afghans. I
stand ready to help if our help is needed”.