Taliban Say They Are Ready To Resume Peace Talks

ABC News Online: Taliban says it is ready to resume peace talks, a day after Trump visits Afghanistan

The Taliban has said they are ready to restart peace talks with the United States, a day after President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to US troops in Afghanistan and said he believed the radical group would agree to a ceasefire.

Mr Trump's Thanksgiving Day visit was his first to Afghanistan since becoming President and came a week after a prisoner swap between Washington and Kabul that has raised hopes for a long-elusive peace deal to end the 18-year-long war.

"The Taliban wants to make a deal and we are meeting with them," Mr Trump told reporters after arriving in Afghanistan on Thursday.

Taliban leaders have told Reuters that the group has been holding meetings with senior US officials in Doha since last weekend, adding they could soon resume formal peace talks.

On Friday, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist insurgent group, said they were "ready to restart the talks" that collapsed after Mr Trump had called them off earlier this year.

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WNU Editor: The Taliban are saying such talks are premature .... Taliban warns it is 'way too early' to speak of resuming talks with the US after President Trump said America was meeting with the militants (Daily Mail). More here .... 'Way Too Early' To Speak Of Resuming Talks With US: Taliban (NDTV/AFP). It looks like not everyone in The Taliban are onboard to enter into peace talks.

More News On The Taliban Saying That They Are Ready To Resume Peace Talks

After Trump's Afghan visit, Taliban say they are ready to resume peace talks -- Reuters
Taliban confirm informal talks with the US -- Al Jazeera
Taliban ‘Ready to Restart’ Peace Talks After Trump’s Afghanistan Visit -- Epoch Times
US-Taliban talks: Informal negotiations resume -- Al Jazeera