Afghan leader offers peace talks with the Taliban

ASHRAF GHANI, the president of Afghanistan, has unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party, days after the militants called for direct negotiations with the United States.

The apparent openness by both sides to some form of negotiations came as civilian casualties have soared in recent months, with the Taliban increasingly staging attacks on towns and cities in response to a new and more aggressive US military policy.

Mr Ghani disclosed the plan at the Kabul Process, a regional conference in the Afghan capital focused on bringing peace to the country.

“A ceasefire should be held, the Taliban should be recognised as a political party and trust-building process should be initiated,” said Mr Ghani.

“Now the decision is in your hands. Accept peace … and let’s bring stability to this country,” he added.

In return, Mr Ghani said the militants should officially recognise the Afghan government and constitution, a sticking point in past attempts to talk.