KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday that he will extend the cease-fire with the Taliban and — in a possible sign of a policy shift — is willing to discuss the presence of the foreign troops in the country.
Ghani asked the Taliban to extend their three-day cease-fire, which is due to end on Sunday night.
“I order the security forces to remain on their defensive positions,” Ghani said, adding details of the extension would be released later. The government’s cease-fire was due to end Tuesday.
“We also request the Afghan Taliban to extend their cease-fire. During the cease-fire, we will provide medical assistance to the wounded Taliban, and will provide them with humanitarian assistance if needed. Taliban prisoners will also be allowed to contact and see their families.” Ghani said in a televised address to the nation.
As Ghani appeared on state TV saying the reports he had seen showed that the truce was observed, an explosion killed more than 26 people at a gathering celebrating the cease-fire in eastern Nangarhar province.
Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor, said the blast was the work of a suicide bomber.
The casualties included the Taliban, civilians and security forces. The explosives were hidden in a car as the group gathered in a township on the outskirts of Jalalabad city, the provincial capital of Nangarhar, near the border with Pakistan.
Mohammad Radmanesh, defense ministry spokesman in Kabul, said: “It is highly likely that Daesh were behind this.”
The blast comes amid a series of celebrations between Taliban fighters and government forces in areas of Afghanistan to honor the short bilateral truce.
Ghani said the government had freed several dozen Taliban prisoners and will free more “if the other side reciprocates.”
After the blast, Ghani tweeted his willingness to start a comprehensive dialogue with the Taliban.
“We’re ready for comprehensive negotiations. All those issues and demands that have been put forth we are ready to discuss at the peace talks. The Afghan government is ready to discuss issues of mutual concern with neighboring countries, and the presence of foreign forces.”
The Taliban, who have insisted on the expulsion of US-led troops, had no immediate comment on Ghani’s offer.
The US military and the NATO-led Resolute Support commanders in Afghanistan voiced support for the proposal.
Hugs and selfies
Ghani' announcement comes as Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged and took selfies with each other across the country as an unprecedented truce in the war-torn country held for the second day of Eid.
Carrying assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, members of Afghanistan’s biggest militant group traveled by car and motorbike through the contested district of Bati Kot in eastern Nangarhar province, waving Afghan and Taliban flags.
Afghan forces manning checkpoints offered Eid greetings to the Taliban, embracing and posing for photos with the same people they are usually trying to kill — a scene that would have been unthinkable only a few days ago.
Villagers also flocked around the insurgents, hugging them and happily taking selfies with the heavily armed fighters as they celebrated the holiday capping Ramadan.
“I am here to offer greetings to our brothers in the police and army,” Taliban commander Baba told AFP.
“We have held the cease-fire well so far. Everyone is tired of war and if our leaders order us to continue the cease-fire, we will hold it forever.”
A Taliban fighter on a motorbike carrying the Afghan and Taliban flags welcomed the cease-fire, but said long-lasting peace would only be achieved if US forces left the country.
