Afghan Prez rejects release of insurgent prisoners in 'US-Taliban deal'

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected a key component of a new US-Taliban deal that calls for the release of insurgent prisoners. He however said, the reduction in violence will continue with a goal to reach a full ceasefire. President Ghani was speaking at a press conference in Kabul yesterday.

It may be recalled that under the landmark agreement signed yesterday in Qatar, 5,000 Taliban would be released in exchange for up to 1,000 government detainees by



10 March. The agreement spells out a withdrawal timeline of 14 months for all foreign forces, provided the Taliban honour several pledges and enter talks with Kabul for a more comprehensive peace deal.

An AFP report says, the agreement states that the United States commits to completing this goal of releasing the Taliban prisoners. The report added since this government is not part of the deal, it is unclear how that can it happen.