US hails Afghan ceasefire as hopes for peace talks rise

Top US officials yesterday hailed a three-day ceasefire proposed by the Taliban and agreed by Kabul, raising hopes that the long-delayed peace talks between the two foes could begin next week. The Taliban declared that the truce would start Friday, the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, and continue for the duration of the religious holiday.  The Taliban proposed the ceasefire after President Ashraf Ghani said his government was ready for talks next week. "To demonstrate the government's commitment to peace, the Islamic Republic will soon complete the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners," Ghani told officials, referring to the number of insurgent inmates the government originally pledged to free under the auspices of the US-Taliban deal.

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