Afghan President Announces Eid Cease-Fire. Taliban Have Not Responded

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan July 15, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail/File Photo

New York Times: Afghan President Calls for Eid Cease-Fire With Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan — President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan proposed a conditional cease-fire with the Taliban on Sunday, extending a trust-building measure to the insurgents before the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha this week.

“I announce a conditional cease-fire starting from tomorrow, Monday, until Nov. 21, birthday of the Prophet Muhammad,” Mr. Ghani said from Darul-Aman Palace on Sunday during celebrations for Independence Day.

“The cease-fire is conditional, and if the Taliban also announce and observe the cease-fire, it will continue until the Taliban are observing it.”

There was no immediate response from the Taliban about a cease-fire, but Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, said on Sunday that the group had identified hundreds of prisoners for release on Monday, so that “they can share the happiness of Eid with their families and friends.”

Read more ....

Update #1: Afghanistan announces Muslim Eid holiday ceasefire with Taliban (Reuters)
Update #2: Ghani Announces Conditional Ceasefire (TOLO News)

WNU editor: The Taliban are not interested .... Taliban say no peace with 'occupation,' want US talks (AP)