ISLAMABAD — The leader of Afghanistan's Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, renewed his call Tuesday for direct talks with the United States to end the war, dashing renewed hopes the insurgent group might be mulling to engage in a peace dialogue with the Kabul government.
In his "message of felicitation" on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr festival, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the Taliban chief again justified his group's military campaign, citing the presence of U.S.-led foreign "occupation forces" in the country.
"If the American officials truly believe in a peaceful end to the Afghan imbroglio, then they must directly present themselves to the negotiation table so that this tragedy [invasion] the destructive effects of which mainly harm the American and Afghan people can be resolved through talks," Akhundzada said in a statement sent to journalists ahead of the three-days of Eid festivities starting on Friday.
Read more ....
Update: Taliban supreme leader offers direct negotiations with the United States (Khaama Press)
WNU Editor: The Taliban are denying the reports that they want to enter into negotiations .... Taliban denies it is in ‘secret talks’ with NATO (Long War Journal).
