KABUL (SW) – The Taliban on Sunday rejected the US and NATO call for ceasefire in Afghanistan.
In a message, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said demanding a ceasefire and reduction in violence at a time when the ‘opposite side’ is not executing its own obligations is both ‘illogical and opportunistic’.
‘The US-Islamic Emirate agreement that has also been endorsed by the Security Council and the international community at large clearly states that following the signing ceremony, six thousand prisoners from both sides must be released within a ten-day period and a pathway for intra-Afghan negotiations opened’, he said, adding the Afghan government, the US and NATO have failed in executing their responsibilities vis-à-vis implementation of articles of the peace agreement.
A day earlier, NATO stressed current level of violence caused by the Taliban is not acceptable. 'We call urgently on the Taliban to reduce violence and create the conditions conducive to commence negotiations. NATO further calls on the Taliban to fulfil its commitments to ensure that terrorists never again find safe haven on Afghan soil'.
The Alliance reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to Afghanistan and the Afghan security forces. 'Now is the time to act in support of sustainable peace'.
Javed Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, said Taliban killed or wounded 789 Afghan civilians (average of 15 a day) since signing peace deal with the US in February.
ENDS
