Security

Afghan government frees remaining Taliban prisoners as peace talks approach

AFP

Taliban prisoners greet each other during their potential release from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, on the outskirts of Kabul on July 31. [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]

Taliban prisoners greet each other during their potential release from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, on the outskirts of Kabul on July 31. [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]

KABUL -- The Afghan government said Thursday (September 3) it has released the remaining 400 Taliban prisoners agreed in an exchange, except for "a few" opposed by foreign nations, and that it expects peace negotiations to start soon.

A drawn-out prisoner swap including the contentious release of hundreds of hardened militants has delayed the start of planned negotiations between the two warring sides, scheduled to take place in Doha.

"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received our commandos held hostage by Taliban, after which the Gov't released the remaining 400 convicts, except the few for which our partners have reservations," National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said on Twitter.

"Diplomatic efforts are ongoing. We expect direct talks to start promptly."

Objections from abroad

Two Taliban officials confirmed the prisoners had been freed and that those opposed by France and Australia were still in government custody.

"Australia and France have some considerations about them," one told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The Kabul administration will send them to Qatar, where they will be in custody during the intra-Afghan talks."

Their release aroused opposition from Paris and Canberra because the prisoners were linked to the murder of French and Australian civilians and troops in Afghanistan.

Afghan officials, meanwhile, called for the start of direct talks with the Taliban.

"The Afghan government has removed all the obstacles for the direct talks to start," said Najia Anwari, spokeswoman for the State Ministry for Peace.

"The negotiation team of the Islamic republic is now in full preparation to attend the talks," Anwari said.

The government-backed negotiating team was heading to Doha later on Wednesday (September 2), said officials.

The date for talks to start is yet to be fixed.

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Taliban never make peace with our government because this is a political game of America.A few months ago a American senior official said that if Tanliban make peace with Afghan government the war will not end in Afghanistan

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Salaams and greetings! Why did Taliban make peace with America instead of the Afghan government? Does it mean that our government is weak or what? Why do Taliban not make peace with the Afghan government? Why do they go to other countries as the peace talks have started? Does Afghan government not want to sit or the Taliban do not want to sit with them? Do you believe that peace will come in Afghanistan and or it is only warm talks?

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Why don't the Taliban release all of their imprisoned Afghan troops, since the Afghan government has released all the prisoners of this group? The Taliban were supposed to release all captured Afghan government personnel before the Afghan government released its own prisoners.

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May God bring a real peace and tranquility in Afghanistan.

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