Council of Afghan tribal leaders (Loya Jirga) to be held next month

AVA- Mohammad Omar Daudzai says the council will take place in the second half of March. The council members are expected to come up with a framework for the Kabul government to engage in peace talks with the insurgents.

Daudzai said in a televised speech on Wednesday that the majority of Afghan politicians want the ongoing US-Taliban talks to lay the groundwork for direct negotiations between the Taliban and the government of President Ashraf Ghani.

The Taliban have so far refused direct talks with Kabul but have been negotiation with the US to end its 17-year war in Afghanistan.