KABUL (SW) – Presidential spokesman Sediq Siddiqi said on Thursday the government was committed to the release of Taliban prisoners in line with the peace accord.
Addressing a press conference, he added that the release of Taliban prisoners would continue until all prisoners in line with the deal are released. He stressed that the Taliban must also implement their part of the agreement to release prisoners of the security forces.
Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, met with president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, chairman of the high council for national reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah and other officials on Wednesday.
According to the presidential palace, the meeting focused on the peace process, practical measures taken before the start of intra-Afghan talks, how to continue with the reduction in violence and the unannounced ceasefire.
During the meeting, president Ghani said that the government and politicians of the country have a political consensus and are committed to ending the war and ensuring lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kabul said in a press release today that the meeting focused on the practical steps needed to start the inra-Afghan talks. During the meeting, Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the importance of continuing the process of releasing prisoners and refraining from any action that would undermine the peace process.
According to the US-Taliban peace agreement, 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released from government prisons and the Taliban should release 1,000 prisoners from the security forces.
ENDS
