Afghan government has decided to suspral security agreement talks with the United States. A brief press release issued by the Afghan President’s office in Kabul today did not mention the reason behind the postponement of the dialogue clearly, but said in view of the contradiction between acts and the statements made by the United States in regard to the peace process, the Afghan government has suspended the negotiations.

The long term strategic pact signed by Afghanistan and the United States last year provides for a bilateral security agreement for military co-operation between the two countries. The talks were underway between the delegations of two sides for signing the proposed agreement which will now be suspended after the Afghan government’s announcement.

The move follows opening of an office by the Taliban in Doha yesterday and announcement of talks by the United States with the insurgent group. Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced the fifth and the last phase of security transition in Afghanistan yesterday under which 95 remaining districts of the country were handed over by the International Force to the Afghan forces.