Kabul is ready to extend the ceasefire with the radical Taliban movement (banned in Russia), established during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Uraza-Bayram).
This was stated by the official representative of the National Security Council of Afghanistan, Javad Faisal, quoted by the Tolo News Afghan TV channel.
"The extension of the [ceasefire] is important, and the Afghan government is ready to extend it, "Faisal said, adding that "the government will agree to extend the truce to ensure the continued release of [Taliban] prisoners and reduce the level of violence in the country."
The ceasefire, the prisoner release process and inter-Afghan talks, Faisal said, "are linked and must be conducted simultaneously," and "the Taliban must fulfill their obligations under the peace agreement with the United States."
Earlier today it became known that the government of Afghanistan has decided to release 900 supporters of the radical movement.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered the release of up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners as a sign of goodwill in response to a three-day truce announced by the radical movement during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on May 24.
The exchange of prisoners is one of the main points of the peace agreement concluded between the US and the Taliban on February 29 in Doha. The document also suggests launching inter-Afghan negotiations, by the time of which up to 5 thousand supporters of the movement and up to 1 thousand people held by radicals should be released.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Rahmat Gul / AP / TASS