Taliban can’t return to power: HCNR chief

The Taliban cannot return to power in the wake of international forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, says the government’s top peace negotiator.

The chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) asked the insurgent not to think of taking over Afghanistan through military means.

Such thinking on Taliban’s part would be a gross miscalculation, remarked the HCNR head, who explained the pullout of foreign forces did not mean an end to international assistance to Afghanistan.

While commenting on the pullout of US troops on Wednesday, Abdullah urged the Afghans to stand united and resolve their disputes instead of wasting their time on waging wars.

At the moment, he said, it was not clear whether or not the Taliban would attend the Istanbul summit. Peace remained the only alternative to the conflict, he commented.