Calls for new peace talks in Afghanistan

A THREE-DAY ceasefire in Afghanistan marked by violent attacks has ended, amid calls for renewed peace talks between the government and Taliban.

Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the negotiating teams of the government and the Islamic Emirate, as the Taliban refers to its ousted regime, met in Qatar and renewed their commitment to finding a peaceful end to the war.

The US has been pressing for accelerated talks as it withdraws the last of its soldiers.

Even as the Taliban and government signed on to the ceasefire, violence continued unabated in Afghanistan. A bombing in a mosque north of the capital killed 12 worshippers.