US Asks Taliban to Announce 6 Months Truce
The United States of America has reportedly asked Taliban group to announce a six-months ceasefire to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.
The United States of America has reportedly asked Taliban group to announce a six-months ceasefire to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.
According to sources, The US wanted Taliban to announce a six-month ceasefire, join the national unity government that is to be installed in Afghanistan in future and become part of the Afghan political system, News International quoted from a source.
In return, Taliban wanted the US to release all their prisoners, lift ban on movement of their leaders from blacklist and announce a deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan, the source added.
He said the Taliban would like to oblige Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan but it would not be an easy job to announce a ceasefire at the moment.
Taliban sources said they could announce a ceasefire if these three countries — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE become the guarantors and the future caretaker government is given to someone nominated by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the US wanted Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to use their influence on Taliban to soften their demands.
The Afghan government said in a statement that the Afghan negotiating team led by chief negotiator Abdul Salam Rahimi, arrived in Abu Dhabi to begin proximity dialogue with the Taliban delegation and to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the two sides.
Afghan Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the peace talks with the US, but strongly denied reports that Taliban delegation would also be meeting with the Afghan government.
According to the Taliban spokesman, officials of three countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were also participating in the peace negotiations between them and the US.
A five-member Taliban delegation, headed by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai had attended the direct talks with US officials.
He said the peace talks between the US and Taliban will continue for three days. According to Taliban sources, the next round of talks would take place in Saudi Arabia.
