"The Afghan High Council has confirmed that the former Taliban leader Agha Jan Mutasim has been held in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Agha Jan Mutasim has been missing in United Arab Emirates during the past several days. He was a senior Taliban leader and was supporting the Afghan peace process with the Taliban group. Afghan High Peace Council following a statement said the detention of Agha Jan Mutasim clarifies that certain elements in the region are disrupting the Afghan peace talks."
"Note that the High Peace Council accuses "certain elements in the region" of "disrupting the Afghan peace talks". We also get a similar accusation from Karzai's office. From today's Washington Post, there is this: "Known and secret enemies of peace in Afghanistan continue sabotaging our peace process," Aimal Faizi, Karzai's spokesman, said Thursday. He did not specify who he thought was responsible, but Afghan officials often accuse neighboring Pakistan of abetting insurgents and stymieing peace efforts."
Mutasim Agha Jan, a former senior Taliban leader engaged in peace efforts, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates while attempting to support negotiations with Afghanistan's High Peace Council. The Afghan High Peace Council confirmed the detention and said it shows that certain elements in the region are disrupting Afghan peace talks. The council said those working to resume the peace process have been victimized and insisted negotiations should occur inside Afghanistan; it said it is negotiating with UAE officials to lift restrictions and resolve Mutasim's case. Afghan officials, including Karzai's spokesman, have accused unnamed regional actors, often implying Pakistan.
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