Representatives of Afghanistan’s mainstream political parties on Monday said that protection of the republic system should be a red line in the peace talks with the Taliban and that they will “never” endorse any change in the system of governance which defies the country’s Constitution

A delegation of Afghanistan’s political elites are expected to hold a second round of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, as part of efforts to bring the ongoing conflict to an end. The first round of the talks was held in Moscow back in February.

“Our Defense Ministry should remain with its current power, our security should remain as it is, as well as education, higher education and other sectors should remain unchanged. We do not accept any early change in this respect,” said Hafiz Mansour, member of the Leadership Council of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan.

“Hizb-e-Islami is urging the restoration of peace and the protection of the Islamic republic system and the elections. Free and transparent elections help to create a sustainable and lasting system in the country,” said Humayun Jarir, member of the Leadership Council of Hizb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

Member of Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Milli, the People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, led by Second Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq, said democratic values and the people’s rights should not be compromised in the peace process.

“The main disagreement was about the nature of governance in the country,” said Assadullah Saadati, member of Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Milli party. “Peace will not have any value if the democratic system, fundamental rights of the citizens and universal values are compromised.”

“The political parties are not endorsing Islamic emirate under any condition,” said Abdullah Qarloq, Deputy Head of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan led by First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum. “If government thinks about an emirate (system) or a Taliban system, it is just an imagination, because the people of Afghanistan and our think tanks never accept this perception.”

The remarks come as the fifth round of the talks between the US and Taliban negotiators in Qatar ended after 16 days last Tuesday with agreement in draft on two key issues under debate – the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and counterterrorism assurances.