Afghan govt asks for ceasefire amid US-Taliban talks

KABUL: Spokesperson of the Afghan government Sediq Sediqqi said the Afghan government and people denounce the Taliban’s suggested “reduction in violence” as an “ambiguous term without any legal or military criteria.”

Sediqqi said while addressing a Saturday news conference in Kabul that, “Every idea that the Afghans have communicated with the US must include ceasefire as it is our people’s demand.

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Sediqqi said negotiations are underway between the U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s team and the Taliban leaders, however, “no progress has been made so far,” referring specifically to cessation or elimination of violence during discussions.

The spokesperson said ending the war and bringing peace to the country are Afghan government priorities and “the president and the citizens of Afghanistan have always concentrated on ceasefire.”

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He continued that reducing violence “is not practical and we hope the Taliban can stop violence because it will take them nowhere,” adding “the Taliban must support a ceasefire if they are truly interested in peace, as it is the desire of the people of Afghanistan.”