(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Afghanistan's president has repeated his call for peace talks with the Taliban, promising the group official recognition and the possible release of prisoners in an attempt to get its leaders to the negotiating table.
Speaking at the second meeting of the "Kabul process", Ashraf Ghani called for a ceasefire, saying: "We have good intention for peace but it does not mean weakness." The talks involve 25 different countries, including India, Pakistan, the US, Russia and China.
The Taliban however remains opposed to any peace talks with the administration in Kabul, saying it will only deal directly with the US - something Washington has so far refused.
The Taliban released a statement on Tuesday saying: "We call on American officials to talk directly to the political office of Islamic Emirate regarding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary. We are the real parties, so let's sit and talk directly, without the presence of any third party, either Pakistan or Afghanistan."
Afghanistan has seen another flare up in violence in recent months. This weekend, over 20 Afghan soldiers were killed in multiple attacks across the country.
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source : Financial Times
Wednesday
28 February 2018
11:36:22 AM
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Speaking at the second meeting of the "Kabul process", Ashraf Ghani called for a ceasefire, saying: "We have good intention for peace but it does not mean weakness." The talks involve 25 different countries, including India, Pakistan, the US, Russia and China.