Afghanistan Times
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KABUL: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with President Ashraf Ghani on phone, where they discussed the regional efforts to advance the Afghan peace process and the recent waves of violence including the attack on Sayed Al-Shuhada school that killed over 80 students and wounded 150 more.
Secretary Blinken conveyed Eid greetings and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those lost in recent violence in Afghanistan, including in the horrific attack on a girls’ school in Kabul last week, the US Department of State said in a statement.
The Secretary conveyed America’s steadfast support for the U.S.-Afghan partnership and for Afghanistan’s security forces, the statement added.
The two leaders discussed the importance of national unity in Afghanistan at this time as well as regional efforts to advance the peace process, according to the statement.
The emphasis on the acceleration of peace talks came at a time when Afghan and Taliban negotiators met in Doha and discussed the expedition of peace efforts.
The two sides agreed to continue their negotiations after Eid, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said.
The Taliban delegation was chaired by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the meeting.
This new development takes place at a time that a temporary ceasefire is in place for the last two days amidst calls for its extension after Eid.
