United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire announced by the Taliban with the Afghan government to mark the Muslim festival of Eid el-Fitr.
“The secretary-general welcomes the announcement by the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban of a ceasefire to enable the Afghan people to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr holiday in peace.
“He urges all parties concerned to seize this opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
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“Only a peace settlement can bring an end to the suffering in Afghanistan,” Guterres’ spokesman, Mr Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.
He reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting media reports on the people and government of Afghanistan in their search for lasting peace and development.
Taliban militants were the first to declare a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, saying they would only attack if attacked, according to media reports.
“Do not carry out any offensive operations against the enemy anywhere.
“If any action is taken against you by the enemy, defend yourself,” the BBC quoted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid as saying.
Mujahid explained that the ceasefire had been declared solely for Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement welcoming the announcement with a promise of compliance by security and defence forces.
In a televised address from the presidential palace after Eid prayers, he said: “As a responsible government, we also want to take another step forward.
“I announce that the release of the Taliban prisoners will be accelerated and serious measures will be taken.”
The three-day ceasefire followed intensified attacks by the hardline Islamist group against government troops in recent weeks, according to the BBC.
“It is likely to raise hopes of a longer-term reduction in violence in the country”, but a similar ceasefire announced for the same festival in 2018 was not extended, the outlet reported.