Taliban, Afghan Gov't Meet To Talk Peaceful October Election

Representatives of the Taliban have met with officials from the Afghanistan Government in Saudi Arabia, less a month before elections are scheduled to be held.

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“They requested us to help them conduct peaceful elections,” one Taliban leader remarked. Both groups met to discuss possible security strategies, among other interests, to be implemented ahead of the October 20 polls, according to Taliban officials.   

“The Afghan delegation has agreed with us on the release of prisoners,” the official said, adding that some prisoners facing minor charges had already been released and others are being accessed.

More than 2,500 candidates launched campaigns on Sept. 28 to contest Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, an AP report said. The electoral process was previously hindered by fears of attacks on polling stations and campaign rallies.

The Taliban rejects the Afghan Government, citing an illegitimate administration imposed by foreign interference, and previously only requested negotiation talks with the United States.

Taliban officials explained that the meeting with the Afghan Government materialized because U.S. demands for a ceasefire was not an option.

"Our agreement for holding the meeting was only to discuss prisoner exchange and the removal of our people from the UN blacklist so they can travel," said one senior Taliban leader from the movement's political office in Qatar.