Johnson, Ghani underline need for permanent ceasefire

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Kingdom has promised to continue its longstanding support to Afghan defence and security forces (ANDSF) against the Taliban.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held out the assurance during a telephone conversation with President Ashraf Ghani on Friday night.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said on Saturday the two sides discussed the expansion of bilateral ties and issues around the Afghan peace process.

The British premier renewed the UK’s support for the Afghan government’s fight against the Taliban as part of the NATO coalition.

The statement said Johnson also assured the president of the UK’s support for cementing regional diplomacy for peace in Afghanistan.

It added: “They agreed on the importance of making progress in peace talks to secure a sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan, and to preserve the gains made by civil society, women and girls.”

The two leaders also exchanged views on the next steps in the peace process and underlined the importance of a permanent ceasefire in the country.

Global efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollout of vaccines in the two countries also came up for discussion.

pr/mud

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