Trump meets top advisers to discuss progress of Afghan peace deal

Washington, August 17

US President Donald Trump chaired a meeting on the Afghanistan peace deal with his national security team that, the White House said, went “very well” and negotiations are proceeding.

The talks, attended by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton among others, were held at Trump’s golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday.

Soon after the meeting, the President tweeted: “Many on the opposite side of this 19-year war, and us, are looking to make a deal - if possible!”

According to the White House, discussions centred around ongoing negotiations and eventual peace and reconciliation agreement with the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan. The meeting went very well and negotiations are proceeding, it said.

After briefing the President on the progress of the negotiations in the war-torn country, Pompeo issued a statement, saying, “Led by the President, we are working diligently on the path forward in Afghanistan.”

“In continued close cooperation with the government of Afghanistan, we remain committed to achieving a comprehensive peace agreement, including a reduction in violence and a ceasefire, ensuring that Afghan soil is never again used to threaten the United States or her allies, and bringing Afghans together to work towards peace,” the secretary of state said. PTI