Ghani, US officials talk failed prisoner swap deal

KABUL detainees.

Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told Pajhwok Afghan News US Secretary Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien reiterated their support for Ghani’s decision.

In separate phone calls, they promised working closely together to respond to any possible Taliban violence in the event the group did not respond in good faith.

Both sides agreed that a ceasefire or a reduction in violence was a necessary pre-condition for starting intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement, he added

Pompeo and O’Brien praised the performance of the Afghan security forces, including their ongoing efforts for eliminating the Islamic State (IS) safe havens in Nangarhar, Sidiqqi informed.

The high-ranking US officials reaffirmed continued American support for the Afghan forces so that Afghanistan could never again be used as a platform for international terrorism.

sa/mud