Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan, hopes to cement a peace deal with Taliban insurgents by April, local media reported Sunday.
Khalilzad, in Kabul to lead talks between the United States, the Taliban and the Afghan government, told reporters he hopes "a peace deal is reached before April 20 next year," when Afghanistan is planning to hold a presidential election.
The Afghan-born U.S. diplomat said he remains "cautiously optimistic" about the peace talks.