The Chief Executive of the National Unity Government Abdullah Abdullah has said the Afghan government is the only institution which is the authority to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban.

He made the remarks during the first meeting of the advisory board for peace which was held in ARG Presidential Palace today.
Abdullah further added that any progress in regards to the peace process will be publicized; no information will be held back from the Afghan people.
He asserted that government is the only institution authorized to conduct the negotiations, according to ARG Presidential Palace.
This comes as the Taliban political leaders are scheduled to meet the U.S. Special Advisor for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in United Arab Emirates today.
“Another meeting between officials of Political Office of Islamic Emirate and American side is going to be held tomorrow on 17th December 2018, 10thRabbi-ul-Thani 1440, in the United Arab Emirates,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement.
The statement further added that representatives of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates will also attend the meeting alongside officials of both sides.