US, Afghanistan call for Afghan peace deal with Taliban

(VOVWORLD) - The much-anticipated peace talks to end the two decades of war that has killed ten of thousands between the Afghan government and the Taliban opened Saturday in Qatar's capital Doha.

Calling the peace talks a "truly momentous occasion," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Afghan government and Taliban to seize the opportunity, adding that Washington is ready to support the negotiations. Head of Afghanistan’s Peace Council Abdullah Abdullah in his statement stressed the damage caused by the conflict  over the last two decades, urging the two sides to reach a ceasefire. Head of the Taliban delegation Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar repeated the insurgents’ message that Afghanistan should be run according to Islamic law and did not mention a peace deal.

Peace negotiations were expected to take place in March but were delayed repeatedly due to a prisoner exchange agreement made as part of the deal signed between the United States and Taliban in February. The Afghan government and the Taliban maintain different views on the ceasefire, women's rights, and government participation which could hinder the negotiation process to end the 19-year war in this country.

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