Abdullah ‘ready for dialogue with Taliban’

A top Afghan official appointed to lead the much-awaited peace talks with the Taliban said his team was ready to start dialogue with the insurgents “at any moment.”

Abdullah Abdullah, who heads a council to represent the government in negotiations, said an ongoing lull in violence triggered by a surprise cease-fire offered by the insurgents had set the tone for launching discussions. “The announcement of the cease-fire, a reduction in violence and the exchange of prisoners have all paved the way for a good beginning,” Abdullah said. “The negotiating team is ready to begin the talks at any moment,” he said.