By Umar Farooq</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. special representative for Afghan reconciliation is traveling to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and the United Kingdom, as a part of Washington's effort to "facilitate a political settlement" in Afghanistan.</p> <p>"In Kabul, Special Representative [Zalmay] Khalilzad will consult with the Afghan government and other Afghans to encourage all parties to work towards intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations to determine a final peace settlement," the State Department said in a statement.</p> <p>He will then travel to New Delhi, Islamabad, Moscow and London, where he will work to build support for the Afghan peace process amongst the international community.</p> <p>He will also be in Doha to help negotiate with the Taliban to urge participation in the peace process.</p> <p>In February, the Taliban and the U.S. said after a marathon round of talks in Qatar that a draft agreement was reached for the eventual withdrawal of troops and guarantees Afghanistan would not be allowed to turn into hub of terrorism.</p> <p>Last week, more than 200 Afghan politicians and civil society representatives were set to meet the Taliban in the Qatari capital for what was set to be a momentous development in the political settlement endorsed by Kabul and Washington.</p> <p>But the Taliban opposed and mocked the large size of the peace delegation saying the conference in Doha is not a "wedding party" ultimately leading to the conference’s cancellation.