Ahead of face-to-face negotiations in coming days, the warring sides were urged by various countries and groups to reach an immediate ceasefire and forge an agreement that upholds women's rights. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the warring sides to seize the opportunity to strike a comprehensive peace deal, while acknowledging many challenges lay ahead. "The choice of your political system is yours to make," he told the opening ceremony in the Qatari capital Doha. CEASEFIRE CONDITIONSAfghanistan government and Taliban representatives met after the opening ceremony to discuss how negotiations would proceed, officials said. "The Afghan people must be at the heart of this peace process...that leaves no one behind, including women," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Source: bd News24 September 12, 2020 14:48 UTC