Former Afghan President Posts Footage With Daughters, Announces Coordination Council

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who led the country from 2001 to 2014, released a video statement with his three daughters on August 15, saying he remained in Kabul and was working on a peaceful resolution to the Taliban conflict.

According to a translation of his remarks by the Associated Press, he said that he was still in Kabul as of Sunday, adding: “We are trying to solve the issue of Afghanistan with the Taliban leadership peacefully.”

He called on residents of the city to remain calm and stay in their homes, according to a Tolo News translation, and called on Afghan forces and the Taliban to protect civilians.

In a Facebook post, Karzai said he had joined a coordination council with Dr Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation; and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hezb-e-Islami party, to negotiate with the Taliban. Credit: Hamid Karzai via Storyful