Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday that the government’s team to negotiate with the Taliban will be ready by March 10, the day when intra-Afghan talks are expected to start according to the group’s deal with the United States.
Speaking at the inauguration of parliament after winter break, Ghani said that the US-Taliban deal was an important step in peace process.
He said that the Afghan government was ready to enter into talks with the Taliban, but he said that the group’s demand for release of 5,000 prisoners was a pre-requisite.
“As a president, I have no desire to hold Taliban prisoners, but their release should happen based on a transparent process and a clear mechanism so that our people are assured that they would see a positive change and a full ceasefire,” Ghani said.
He said that the negotiating team should defend the Constitution, republicness and basic human rights.
The president also urged the Senate and the Lower House to introduce two and five members each respectively for joining the High Reconciliation Council.
