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All parties agree to reduce civilian casualties to zero in Afghan peace talks

TWO days of intra-Afghan peace talks concluded in Doha yesterday with all parties agreeing to reduce the number of civilian casualties in the war-torn country to “zero.”

A statement agreed by delegates in the Qatari capital was hailed as “a major step on the road to peace.”

The talks, sponsored by Germany and Qatar, come as the death toll from fighting between competing groups in Afghanistan rises.

At least 14 people were killed in Ghazni in central Afghanistan and nearly 200 wounded, including scores of children, in a car bomb attack on Sunday which was later claimed by the resurgent Taliban.

Its chief negotiator at the talks and political chief Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai justified the bombing as part of a “fight for freedom” against foreign occupation.

Peace negotiations also included members of the Afghan government and civil society members, including a delegation of 10 women. They came after six days of negotiations between the Taliban and the US in the Qatari capital.

The Taliban refuses to negotiate with the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani, which it considers a “puppet regime.”

It agreed to the meeting on provision that delegates from the Kabul administration attended only in a personal capacity to ensure an equal footing in talks.

Taliban spokesman Qari Din Mohammad Hanif said all parties were in agreement on the reduction of civilian casualties.

“Afghan people will be protected. We have always wanted this, they are never the target,” he claimed. 

“We have all agreed to the fact that the civilians should not be affected. War continues, but our aim is to reduce civilian casualties to zero.”

A joint statement released by the delegates on Monday also committed to protect “public institutions, such as schools, religious madrassas, hospitals, markets, water dams and other working locations.”

Talks between the Taliban and US are set to recommence today.

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