Pakistan's PM Imran Khan and Qatar's Emir Meet in Doha Ahead of Expected US-Taliban Peace Deal

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is greeted by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha Thursday, February 27, ahead of the expected signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace deal this weekend in Doha, the Qatari capital. ––––––––– READ MORE: A seven-day reduction in violence pact, which took effect last Saturday, was agreed to between U.S.-backed Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents. Afghan officials Wednesday alleged that insurgents have carried out attacks in several provinces since the partial agreement took effect, killing around two dozen people, mostly security personnel. There was no immediate reaction from the Taliban to Kabul’s allegations, though the insurgent group insists it had agreed with the U.S. to observe a reduction in violence and not a “cease-fire”. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the weeklong truce was largely holding and had brought his administration closer to sealing the pact with the Taliban intended to end the war in Afghanistan. The U.S.-Taliban agreement, if inked on Saturday, would begin a phased withdrawal of American and coalition forces from the country. It would also require the Afghan government and members of other political as well as civil society groups to form a united team to engage in peace negotiations with the Taliban to discuss a permanent nationwide cease-fire and power-sharing in post-war Afghanistan. ––––––––– LINK: https://www.voanews.com/south-central...