Norway served as a facilitator in the 1992-1993 talks between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) that led to the Oslo Accords in 1993. Those talks were conducted in complete secrecy.

Since then, it has remained involved as chair of the donor group coordinating international assistance to the Palestinian territories, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC).

There is now interest in trying to revive the AHLC as a possible channel for diplomacy, Barth Eide said, as Israel stepped up strikes on Gaza in its war against the militant Islamist group Hamas that broke out last month.

“We hear now from very many sides – the American, the European and the Arab (sides), and from many among the parties (in the conflict), who want to see whether it can be relevant as a channel again,” Espen Barth Eide told public broadcaster NRK.

“This war has reminded everyone that there is no other lasting solution to this than having a two-state solution, which one had hoped to see after the Oslo Accords 30 years ago.”

Barth Eide said it was possible that out of this “terrible dramatic situation” happening in Gaza today, “we could see a political process back on track”, on the condition that the war in Gaza does not spread to other countries in the Middle East.

“That is what we hope for, and if those involved want it, Norway will naturally be ready to support this with what we can,” he said.

Highlighting Norway’s efforts, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere talked on Saturday with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi about Gaza, the PM’s office said in a statement on Sunday, including “how a two-state solution must be discussed again and indicating Norway’s engagement on this over many years”.

“We must already think now about what comes after. Diplomatic initiatives and solutions are necessary,” Stoere said in the statement.

The Nordic country, which is not part of the European Union and is a close U.S. ally, is involved in several peace processes, including in Colombia and Venezuela.

The visit took place amidst a severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following 20 years of war and as many countries have pulled back on aid after orders from the Taliban that stopped many Afghan female humanitarian staff from working.

“Norway invited three civil servant-level individuals working for the Afghan de facto authorities in Kabul to this year’s Oslo Forum. They met Afghan civil society and representatives from other countries to discuss the situation in Afghanistan,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt told Reuters.

The two-day meeting near Oslo is an annual summit on conflict and peace diplomacy that ended Wednesday.

The Taliban administration has not been formally recognised by any foreign government since taking over the country in 2021 as foreign troops withdrew.

A U.N. official said the United Nation’s Secretary General’s Special Representative to Afghansitan Roza Otunbayeva attended the closed door meeting.

Though some senior Taliban leaders are normally prevented from leaving the country due to U.N. travel bans, other officials are able to travel or receive exemptions to do so and have held meetings with officials abroad including in Qatar, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

In 2022, the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended a meeting in Oslo.

“Isolating Afghanistan now will be unfortunate, both for the Afghan people and for the international community. It could worsen the situation in Afghanistan, and it could let … groups such as the ISKP get a stronger foothold in the country. This would also pose a security risk for Europe,” Huitfeldt said, referring to Islamic State.

A spokesperson for the Taliban-run foreign ministry did not respond to request for comment. Afghan broadcaster Tolo News reported officials from the foreign, defence and interior ministries had travelled to Norway.

Rashed is followed by over 16,169 followers on his Facebook account and over 5,678 followers on his Insta account.

He earned praises recently on internet for his prompt action in grabbing and kicking the Norwegian anti-Islamic leader Lars Thorsen for burning the Muslim Holy Book Quran during a demonstration held in Norway’s city of Kristiansand on last Saturday.

Thorsen held a demonstration named “Stop Islamization of Norway” (SIAN) which was approved by the local Police authorities, however Police had warned SIAN against burning the Holy Quran, after SIAN informed them about their provoking plans.

No sooner Thorsen burnt the Quran, a Rashed managed to jump over the fence and grabbed Thorsen’s jacket, however he fell on the ground after attempting to kick. Police arrived on the scene and arrested both of them to contain the situation and disperse the angry protestors from both the sides.

Kortversjonen av koranbrenningen
@Sian @EdbRegadog pic.twitter.com/i9DtfBLfnB

— Lena Andreassen (@AndreassenLena) November 18, 2019

Thorsen held a demonstration named “Stop Islamization of Norway” (SIAN) which was approved by the local Police authorities, however Police had warned SIAN against burning the Holy Quran, after SIAN informed them about their provoking plans.

No sooner Thorsen burnt the Quran, a man who is described as a “Hero” managed to jump over the fence and grabbed Thorsen’s jacket, however he fell on the ground after attempting to kick. Police arrived on the scene and arrested both of them to contain the situation and disperse the angry protestors from both the sides.

Ladies and Gentleman presenting you "The defender of Quran"
Salute you brother
#Norway#RealHeroOfMuslimUmmah pic.twitter.com/deQ8oJrBxD

— Qasim Ishfaq???? (@QasimIshfaqktk) November 22, 2019

His identity is still unknown as there are no official reports confirming his identity and ethnicity.

Gonna Tell My Kids,This Guy is Real Hero
In Norway, a Muslim young man didn't tolerate the blasphemy of the Quran. He attacked the rasict and saved the Quran from burning. Salute to his bravery#Norway #gonnatellmykids pic.twitter.com/jtRCEyCQUo

— Shayaan? (@Hi_Shayaan) November 22, 2019

RT reported that, Thorsen recently received a 30 day suspended jail sentence and a fine for distributing hate-filled pamphlets in Oslo that accused Muslims of being “notorious sexual predators” who “rape in epidemic proportions.”