Taliban reject direct talks with Afghan govt

Kabul: The Taliban have rejected agreement on ceasefire and direct talks with Afghan government during a marathon negotiations with US special representative in Doha, the capital of Qatar, according to a statement on Sunday. Talks ended on Saturday evening after consecutive meetings from the past six days in the Doha, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. “Progress made during the talks on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and other crucial matters. It was also agreed to continue discussion in the future,” he said. Mujahid hinted that until the matter of withdrawal of foreign forces was not agreed upon progress on other issues would be impossible, adding that the pullout of foreign troops was highly important for them. He rejected some media outlets reports regarding agreement on ceasefire and direct talks with Afghan government and added the Taliban representatives thanked the government of Qatar for felicitating talks. On Saturday evening, US special envoy for reconciliation in Afghanistan tweeted: “Heading to Kabul from Doha and the meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues.” However, he said added: “We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire.”