The United States Special Envoy for Reconciliation in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, called on the parties to the Afghan conflict to work together to bring about peace and end the war there.

Today, Khalilzad met with the President of the Supreme Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah. According to a statement by the Council, the United States envoy confirmed during the meeting "the full support of the United States for the peace efforts in Afghanistan," explaining that "the world expects the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to go to the Istanbul Conference with one plan."

Washington hoped to speed up the peace process, calling on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to cooperate towards an end

war and a lasting peace.

For his part, Abdullah Abdullah stressed the desire for a successful Istanbul summit on peace in Afghanistan, noting that the National Reconciliation Council had taken important steps to unite Afghan views and reach Istanbul with a common peace plan and vision.