President Ashraf Ghani on Monday called on the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the government.
In an address to the nation at lunchtime, Ghani also assured the people that their rights will not be compromised in the name of peace and that the country’s sovereignty will be upheld.
He said the Taliban has two choices at the moment – to either stand with the people of Afghanistan or be used as a tool by other countries.
Ghani said concerted efforts were being carried out for peace but at the same time government was also working hard to develop the country.
He said the government was committed to ending the 40-year-old war and said that this was the wish of all Afghans.
On the issue of foreign troops in the country, he said no country wants this indefinitely but that currently, Afghanistan needs these forces.
He said the foreign troops in the country would leave at some point, but that this would be done in accordance with an orderly plan.
