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Donald Trump meets top advisers on Afghanistan peace plan

  • President has been adamant about wanting to pull US troops out of country, possibly ahead of 2020 election
  • But US military and some lawmakers fear Afghanistan could plunge into new civil war that could see a return of Taliban rule

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Afghan policemen stand guard after an explosion near the police headquarters in Kabul on August 7. Photo: AP

US President Donald Trump met with top advisers on Friday to review negotiations with the Taliban on a US troop pull-out from Afghanistan and the potential for a political settlement between the warring sides.

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“The meeting went very well, and negotiations are proceeding,” the White House said in a statement.

Trump, who is on a working holiday at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, received an afternoon briefing from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other advisers on the talks, which have been handled by Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad.

US Vice-President Mike Pence and White House national security adviser John Bolton were among the attendees, an official said.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the Oval Office in July. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the Oval Office in July. Photo: AFP
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A US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said significant differences remained between the United States and the Taliban after an eighth round of talks ended in Qatar on Monday.

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