FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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New Afghan Cease-Fire Call Welcomed by United States

Aug. 20, 2018 (EIRNS) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Aug. 20:

“The United States welcomes the announcement by the Afghan government of a cease-fire conditioned on Taliban participation. The United States supports President Ghani’s offer for comprehensive negotiations on a mutually agreed agenda.”

Ashraf Ghani announced plans yesterday for a cease-fire to start today in honor of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, and to extend to the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on Nov. 21, according to Al Jazeera. According to a Reuters report, the Taliban provisionally accepted an agreement for a truce of just four days, and pledged to release hundreds of prisoners in a show of goodwill.