Afghan govt, Taliban to hold talks in Maldives

Representatives of the Afghanistan government and Taliban militia are set to hold talks in the Maldives on national reconciliation, their second such meeting this year.

"The government of Maldives confirms that talks are being held this week in the Maldives between Afghan lawmakers and representatives from groups opposed to the Afghan government," President Mohammaed Nasheed's press secretary Mohamed Zuhair said.

The Maldivian government has no involvement in the talks, Zuhair said. "We cannot disclose the location of the talks, although we can confirm that they are not being held in Male or other populous centres," he said.

When contacted, a top official in the Maldivian government told PTI that the talks will be held later today evening.

"None of the representatives involved in the talks are listed in the United Nation's or other international travel blacklists," he said, adding that Maldivian security and intelligence agencies have been fully informed of the parleys.

"Afghanistan's stability affects the peace and security of our region. The government of Maldives supports efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan," he said.

The Maldives hosted a similar peace meeting in January ahead of the London conference of world powers to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.