“In all my meetings with US officials in recent months, especially with US special envoy (Zalmay Khalilzad), I expressed my deep concern about the lack of sincerity and transparency in the US’s policies regarding moving the election process forward and parts of the peace process [with the Taliban militants],” Karzai said in a statement carried by the local TOLO News.

On Monday, Afghan incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and opposition candidate and former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah both held inauguration ceremonies in the capital. Abdullah has contested the official results of the recent presidential election in the country, which showed Ghani had won.

Karzai said if the US had been sincere about seeking an end to the crisis in Afghanistan, it would have prevented divisions and political instability by making constructive and on-time moves ahead of the inauguration ceremonies.

“I have reiterated that the election and peace should result in strengthening national unity and stability in the country and in the establishment of a legitimate and powerful national government,” the ex-president added, referring to his meetings with US officials.

Karzai said that under the current situation, there was a need for unity among Afghans so that they could “foil plots” from abroad.

UNSC adopts resolution backing US-Taliban ‘peace’ deal

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday afternoon endorsing a deal between the US and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

All 15 Security Council members supported the resolution — proposed by Washington — that endorsed a joint US-Afghan declaration on peace and a deal signed between the Trump administration and the Taliban.

This is while the Taliban have been engaging in attacks against the Afghan government since the deal was signed on February 29.

The Washington-Taliban deal was negotiated without the formal involvement of the central government in Afghanistan.

The post Karzai blames US for crisis in Afghanistan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif met and held separate talks with Foreign Minister of Oman Yusuf bin Alawi and former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai on the latest regional issues.

The post Zarif holds talks with bin Alawi, Karzai appeared first on Iran News Daily.