Washington, Aug 4 (UNI) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday held discussions with the Taliban’s deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and discussed the possibility of starting the intra-Afghan talks.
The two sides agreed that the release of the remaining Taliban prisoners is a "very important," step to start the peace talks, adding that the US secretary of state also welcomed the Eid ceasefire called by the Taliban.
The discussions come at a time when the Afghan government is convening the Loya Jirga, the grand assembly of Afghan elders and representatives, to build a consensus on the decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners who they accuse of being involved in serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking and abduction.