US special envoy meets Pakistan army chief after talks with Taliban in UAE: army

ISLAMABAD - US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday, after a two-day negotiation with the Taliban in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Monday, Pakistan's army said.

The US envoy who led a US delegation in the negotiation appreciated Pakistan's efforts in the Afghanistan peace process, a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

"General Bajwa reiterated that peace in Afghanistan is important for Pakistan and assured continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

Khalilzad said on twitter that he met with Pakistan leaders to "update them on the state of play following our meetings in UAE."

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said his country had "facilitated" the talks between the United States and the Taliban in UAE as part of its efforts to push for the political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

The Taliban also issued a statement saying the "focal point of discussion was the withdrawal of foreign troops."