Calls for a cease-fire surfaced in the Taliban-Afghanistan peace talks in Doha
Taliban delegation during the Taliban peace talks with the Afghan government in Doha, Qatar. © Reuters
Representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban are gathering for historic peace talks aimed at ending a two-decade war that has killed tens of thousands of fighters and civilians.
In the run-up to face-to-face negotiations in the coming days, warring parties are being urged by various countries and groups to immediately reach a ceasefire and forge agreements that uphold women's rights.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged warring parties to take the opportunity to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
"The choice of your political system is yours," he said at the opening ceremony in the Qatari capital, Doha, quoted by The Straits Times, Wednesday (16/9).
"We firmly believe that protecting the rights of all Afghans is the best way for you to break the cycle of violence."
The head of the Afghan peace council, Abdullah Abdullah, said that although the two sides could not agree on everything, they had to compromise.
"My delegation in Doha represents a political system supported by millions of men and women from diverse cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds in our homeland," he explained.
Taliban leader Mullah Baradar Akhund said Afghanistan must have an Islamic system in which all tribes and ethnicities in the country are treated equally without discrimination and live their lives in love and brotherhood.