Taliban, Afghan Government Delegations Meet in Saudi Arabia
According to al-Arab daily, discussions during the meeting, held recently but whose date has not been revealed, revolved around holding the elections and release of a number of prisoners.
The daily quoted some Taliban officials as saying that the government has asked the group for help in holding the vote.
Last week, the Taliban vowed to target Afghan security forces in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the violence-wracked country.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement last Monday that the militants would pull no punches to disrupt the long-delayed vote scheduled for October 20.
“People who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure” of the election, Mujahid said.
The polls were originally set to be held in 2015 following presidential elections the previous year but were repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical problems.
Candidates will contest the 249 seats in the National Assembly for five-year terms. Regional elections will also be held in districts across Afghanistan.
