Kabul: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday invited the Taliban to join in a peace process backed by the international community.
Speaking at a conference on Afghan peace and reconstruction in Beijing, Mr. Ghani made no specific proposals and indicated government forces wouldn’t back away from the fight. However, his mention of the Taliban by name marked a departure from his usual public references to them as “political opponents.”
“Peace is our highest priority. We invite the political opposition, particularly the Taliban, to join and enter Afghan dialogue, and ask all of our international partners to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” Mr. Ghani said.
In his address to the gathering, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China has faith in Afghanistan’s ability to solve its own problems, but that its neighbours should help create a peaceful environment without interfering in its internal affairs.
“The International community should respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, not interfere with its internal affairs and support Afghanistan’s efforts to realise security and stability,” Mr. Li said.
