The United Nations has welcomed the three-day ceasefire announcement by the Afghan government and the Taliban for the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha, starting Friday.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said on Twitter that further prisoner releases and reductions in violence should now pave the way for a quick start to intra-Afghan negotiations.
US and NATO also welcomed the announcements.
“Our hope is this Eid brings all Afghans together in understanding & mutual respect and one step closer to a sustainable peace,” US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said.
Calling the ceasefire announcement as an important step in the peace process, NATO said that it must lead to the earliest possible start of intra-Afghan negotiations. “Afghan people deserve peace now & NATO stands with them,” it said.
On Tuesday, President Ghani vowed to soon complete the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners as part of a prisoner exchange process ahead of intra-Afghan peace talks.
The Afghan government said that it has fulfilled all its obligations in the peace process and has left no excuse for the continuation of violence.
