Taliban chief reiterates call for direct talks with US

KABUL.

In a statement issued ahead of Eidul Adha, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada underlined the need for understanding and reasoning rather than using force.

The only way to ensure a complete end to the ongoing war was the end of Afghanistan’s occupation, he said, suggesting withdrawal of foreign troops.

Peace would elude the country as long as foreign "occupation" continued, warned Akhundzada, who reaffirmed Taliban’s commitment to Islamic goals and Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

On July 23, a to0 US diplomat met members of Taliban’s political bureau in Qatar and explored ways of resuming talks on bringing the conflict to end.

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