Long-delayed peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban appear back on track as Kabul signals negotiations could start next week and Taliban orders three-day Eid al Adha ceasefire
Taliban has declared a three-day ceasefire during the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha starting on Friday, marking the second such truce in just over two months in Afghanistan.
"All the mujahedeen ... are ordered to refrain from carrying out any operation against the enemy during the three days and nights of Eid al Adha," Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.Afghan Taliban proposes August timeline for talks with governmentThe Afghan president's spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, said the government welcomed the ceasefire announcement but added that Afghans wanted enduring peace and the start of direct peace negotiations.
"To demonstrate the government's commitment to peace, the Islamic Republic will soon complete the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners," Ghani said, referring to the number of insurgent inmates the government originally pledged to free under the auspices of a US-Taliban deal signed in February. He also urged the Taliban to agree on a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire" during talks aimed at ending Afghanistan's nearly 19-year-old war.READ MORE:Last week, the Taliban said it's ready to hold negotiations straight after Eid, provided the prisoner swap had been completed.
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