Thousands of Afghans congregate in Kabul for four-day consultative assembly to set agenda for peace process with Taliban
The four-day consultative grand assembly, known as a"loya jirga", is an attempt by President Ashraf Ghani to influence peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, which the militants have excluded his government from.
"It is a proud moment for me to have representatives from all over the country here and today we are gathered to speak about the peace talks," Ghani said in an opening ceremony in huge tent set up for such assemblies in central Kabul. "We are all here to talk about the framework of peace talks with the Taliban ... reaching a sustainable peace is very important to us," Ghani said in his welcome address.
"Given all the divides in Afghanistan, there is as much of a need for reconciliation within Afghanistan as there is for reconciliation with the Taliban." "He wants to prove that he has the ability to secure a peace deal and also enjoys the support of Afghans," said one diplomat.
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