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Afghanistan Recalls Ambassador From Qatar

December 14, 2011

The Afghan Foreign Ministry has recalled its ambassador to Qatar for "consultations" in an apparent protest at being left out of talks over the opening of a Taliban office in that Persian Gulf state.

The ministry's official statement said that while Afghanistan has had good relations with Qatar, "the Afghan government has decided to recall its ambassador [Khaled Ahmad Zekerya] from Doha for the purpose of some consultations."

The statement gave no specific reason for the move.

But an Afghan government official, speaking to RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on condition of anonymity, said that while Kabul approved of the move to establish the Taliban office, it was withdrawing its ambassador in protest at not being consulted.

The official said Qatar had held consultations with the United States and Germany on opening the Taliban office, a move designed to facilitate possible formal peace talks with the militant group.

based on RFE/RL and agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/afghanistan_recalls_ambassador_to_qatar/24422023.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.