Iran Press/Asia: Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the ‘Loya Jirga’, told a news conference that a majority of the working groups voted in favor of the release of 400 Taliban prisoners on national and international bail. The final decision is scheduled to be announced on Sunday and later a resolution will be issued at the closing session.
Members of the ‘Loya Jirga’ called on countries involved in Afghanistan to stop supporting the Taliban.
The members of this Jirga stressed the need to form a comprehensive and inclusive delegation to start intra-Afghan talks, seek guarantees for the beginning and success of the talks, and to ensure lasting peace in Afghanistan.
Abdullah Abdullah said: "There was opposition within the committees, but in the general summary of the committees, we did not see any differences, but there were different views. Some members of the Loya Jirga said there should be a precondition, some called for guarantees and reduction in violence, and some even demanded international guarantees in exchange for the release of Taliban prisoners.”
Abdullah said the first round of peace talks would be held in Qatar.
On the first day of Eid al-Adha, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani announced the government was holding a consultation to decide the fate of the 400 prisoners.
About 3,200 public representatives, including 700 women from across the country, participated in the Jirga.
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