KABUL (SW) – John R. Bass, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, announced on Sunday the recent attacks in Kabul and Logar led to decision to reassess the pending transfer of three key Taliban leaders from prison.

In a series of tweets, Ambassador Bass expressed support for President Ashraf Ghani’s announcement to release three Taliban prisoners to promote peace – and the decision to reassess their pending transfer following the attacks in Logar and Kabul on November 12 and 13.

“Making #peace means making hard choices, but it also requires careful review of the conditions on the ground. As strategic partners, we will continue to work closely with the #Afghan government on next steps. #Afghanistan #EnduringPartnership”, he tweeted.

A former Taliban-era official, Nazar Mohammad Mutmaen, told Salam Watandar that the three Haqqani Network leaders were given passports to take flight to Qatar, but conditions attached to the swap deal by the U.S. led to cancellation of their planned departure.

Mutmaen said the Taliban were demanding the prison swap to take place with the foreign teachers of the American University of Afghanistan inside Afghanistan.

Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the President, said Anas Haqqani and the two other Haqqani Network leaders remain in Bagram prison.

ENDS