Afghanistan Peace CampaignMujahid said that he had 24 meetings with representatives of different countries, which were as productive as the Doha meeting.
Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, said that Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, pressed the Islamic Emirate during the third Doha meeting to release American citizens imprisoned in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a press briefing, he said that this is a constant request from the United States, and at every opportunity, they emphasize the unconditional release of American citizens imprisoned in Afghanistan.
Vedant Patel said: “During these meetings, Special Rep West pressed for the immediate and unconditional release of U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Afghanistan, noting that these detentions impede progress in the Taliban’s own desire for international recognition. U.S. officials continue to press for their release continuously and at every opportunity.”
The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, who also led the interim government’s delegation in Doha 3, confirmed the talks about American prisoners in Afghanistan and said that the US must also consider the conditions of the Islamic Emirate in this regard.
Zabihullah Mujahid said: “Yes, we discussed some remaining issues, including the matter of two American citizens imprisoned in Afghanistan. We had previously discussed their release, and Afghanistan’s conditions must also be accepted. We have prisoners in Guantanamo Bay who need to be released in exchange for our nationals. Otherwise, just as American citizens are important to them, Afghans are important to us.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, briefing reporters about the outcomes of the third Doha meeting, said that on the sidelines of this meeting, he had 24 meetings with representatives of different countries, which were as productive as the Doha meeting.
Mujahid reiterated that the issue of girls’ education is an internal matter of Afghanistan and that until the Islamic Emirate is recognized under the framework of the United Nations, it is not obliged to adhere to international conventions.
Mujahid added: “Conventions or world agreements come into being based on commitment, and we can only agree to them when the Islamic Emirate is recognized by the framework of the United Nations. We can adhere to or agree with international conventions and agreements as long as they do not contradict Islamic Sharia and the national interests of Afghanistan.”
In the third Doha meeting, economic issues, including humanitarian aid to reduce poverty in Afghanistan, support for the private sector to facilitate investors, combating drug trafficking, and aid for alternative livelihoods for farmers, were also discussed.
Zabihullah Mujahid said there was no discussion about the fourth Doha meeting.