Amid ongoing efforts to end the Afghan violence and conflict through reconciliation process, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reportedly agreed to play a key role in the new peace effort to be led by the United States.
Sources privy of the development said an agreement was reached in this regard during a quadrilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States and United Arab Emirates.
The Afghan and US officials have told The Wall Street Journal that Saudi Arabia has agreed to play a leading role in starting a new peace process in Afghanistan.
A National Security Council spokesperson has told the paper that the U.S. National Security Council is spearheading this new four-nation effort.
The source has further added that the four countries discussed ways to “cooperate to support the Afghan government” and “work together to promote a peaceful settlement.”
During the meeting, the four nations agreed to create a working group that would meet regularly to decide on a road map to peace in Afghanistan, officials have said.
This comes as the Taliban group has so far rejected to participate in any form of negotiations with the Afghan government aimed at peace process.
However, U.S. and Afghanistan hope that Saudi Arabia can bring the Taliban to the negotiating table and act as guarantors for a possible peace deal considering the religious clout of the Kingdom and its historical ties with the Taliban group.
