Afghanistan Times
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KABUL: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad has welcomed the news that the Taliban released 10 Afghan soldiers, saying the Afghan masses desire for peace and security.
“Welcome the news that the Taliban released 10 Afghan soldiers. This action followed the release of Taliban prisoners by the Afghan government, and the separate Taliban goodwill gesture of releasing two US professors,” the US envoy tweeted
“Hopeful these steps lead to a reduction in violence and rapid progress towards a political settlement involving the Afghan government, the Taliban, and other Afghan leaders. The Afghan people yearn for peace and security, and we stand with them.”
This comes as US President Donald Trump on Wednesday tweeted that he hopes the release of two professors by the Taliban on Tuesday will “pave the way” for a ceasefire and help facilitate peace in Afghanistan.
Kevin King, 63, from the US, and Timothy Weeks, 50, from Australia, were professors at the American University in Afghanistan in Kabul and were abducted by the Haqqani Network in August 2016.
