Afghan peace delegation meets with Taliban in PakistanNovember 21, 2013 - 18:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pakistani and Afghan officials said an Afghan peace delegation has met with the Taliban's former deputy leader in Pakistan, according to the Associated Press. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Thursday, Nov 21, that the meeting between the Afghan High Peace Council and the former Taliban No. 2, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, occurred, but would not provide details. The High Peace Council has been tasked by the government to hold peace negotiations with the Taliban. Pakistan released Baradar in September after years in captivity, hoping he could help jumpstart the sputtering peace process between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Kabul had asked for his release ever since he was arrested in a joint Pakistan-U.S. operation in the southern city of Karachi in 2010. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |