President Ghani, Pompeo Insists on Long-term Truce, Start of Talks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a telephone conversation on Sunday night with President Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah, head of the high council of national reconciliation stressed on long-term ceasefire and start of direct negotiations.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a telephone conversation on Sunday night with President Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah, head of the high council of national reconciliation stressed on long-term ceasefire and start of direct negotiations.
“He thanked the Afghan government for initiating the brave process of releasing up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners,” president Ghani twitted, adding that “the U.S. will push for a long-term ceasefire or reduction in violence and start of direct negotiations”.

Secretary Pompeo welcomed the announcement by the Taliban and Afghan government of three-day Eid ceasefire.
“This presents a tremendous opportunity for Afghans to overcome other obstacles and move urgently to intra Afghan negotiations that end the war,” he said.

This comes as President Ghani signed the release of 2 thousand Taliban prisoners as a good gesture as well as facilitating the intra-Afghan talks.