U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad left for Doha over the weekend where he will help formulate a joint international response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, the State Department reported.

According to a statement, Khalilzad will hold several rounds of meetings over three days, and representatives from countries in the region and beyond as well as from multilateral organizations will press for a reduction of violence and ceasefire and a commitment not to recognize a government imposed by force.

Khalilzad is also expected to press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement.

The increased tempo of Taliban military engagement, resulting civilian casualties in armed conflict between the sides, and alleged human rights atrocities are of grave concern, the State Department noted.

A negotiated peace is the only path to ending the war, and the United States will continue to work with all parties and with regional and international stakeholders to advance a consensus on a political settlement.