Helmand peace marchers to protest in front of US, Pakistan, Russia, Iran embassies

Helmand peace marchers said on Saturday that Taliban had not given any public response to their call for extension of truce and peace talks.
Speaking to reporters in a mosque in Kabul, where they reside, the leader of the movement Iqbal Kheyber said this proved that some elements among the Taliban were under the influence of foreigners and they were not independent in decision making.
He, however, said that Taliban in a private message reiterated their old stance urging them to take their march to US military base in Bagram airfield. Kheyber said that they were expecting Taliban to respond to their demands in a public statement.
“They [Taliban] said we should go to Bagram and offer our demands to Americans than asking Taliban for peace,” said Iqbal.
On behalf of the peace marchers Kheyber said now on their focus will be on protests in front of embassies of the countries that believed to have influence over Taliban.
He pledged Helmand peace convoy members would erect sit-in tents in front of embassies of US, Pakistan, Russia, Iran and office of UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
“From Sunday, we will erect comps in front of each embassy for three days. During these three days period, we will try to get in touch with people of the country we protest in front of its embassy.”
Helmand peace marchers’ demands consist of urgent ceasefire, establishing a center for peace talks, forming government by warring sides and a timeline for withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
This came after President Ghani last week visited members of the march and accepted all their demands. The President even extended the unilateral armistice for a month and clarified that everything, including a timeline for foreign forces’ withdrawal can be discussed in peace talks.
In the meantime, efforts are underway to create safe zone in southeastern Paktia province for Taliban to pave the ground for peace talks. Governor of the province told BBC Pashto that tribal elders had begun efforts to convince Taliban and government to announce the entire province as safe zone.