KABUL (Sputnik) - Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the resistance forces in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Panjshir, stated on Sunday his readiness to cease fighting and start negotiations if the Taliban (terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) leaves the province.
"The national resistance forces are ready to immediately stop the war to achieve a lasting peace if the Taliban cease their attacks and military operations in Panjshir and Andarab, and hope to hold a large meeting with scholars and reformers, and continue discussions and talks," Massoud said in a statement posted on Facebook.
According to our sources in Panjshir, press secretary for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, Fahim Dashti, has died.
The Khaama Press news agency reported that Dashti was killed during a fight in Panjshir but no details about his death were immediately available.
Germany should negotiate with the Taliban (a terrorist organization, banned in Russia) to be able to evacuate people from Afghanistan and render humanitarian aid to locals, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday.
"Of course, we need to talk to them [the Taliban], because they are now those who are to be addressed. We want to fly people fearing for their lives out of the country, especially, the employees of organizations supporting economic development. We also want international humanitarian organizations, which Germany actively supports, to be able to work on improvement of the situation in the country. There is water shortage, hunger," Merkel told a press conference.
The chancellor saw the resumed operations of the Kabul airport as a good signal, primarily, from the viewpoint of medical equipment and drugs supplies.
"And we need to discuss with the Taliban how we can take people who have worked for Germany to safe places," Merkel added.
The Islamist group, on its part, also hopes to establish good relations with Berlin, the spokesman of the Taliban said in an interview.
"We want strong and official diplomatic relations with Germany," Zabihullah Mujahid told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, adding that Germany had made some "good contributions" in Afghanistan.
"Unfortunately, then they joined the Americans [in the international troops]. But now it is forgiven," Mujahid said.
The Taliban expect financial and humanitarian aid from Germany, as well as support in the healthcare, agricultural, and education sectors, the outlet added.
On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Germany was ready to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul which were suspended after the Taliban took control of the capital last month. But respect for human rights, inclusive government, and security are mandatory before the mission can return, Maas added.
Ahmad Massoud, head of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA), said on Sunday he welcomed proposals from religious scholars for a negotiated settlement with the Taliban.
"The NRF in principle agree to solve the current problems and put an immediate end to the fighting and continue negotiations...To reach a lasting peace, the NRF is ready to stop fighting on condition that Taliban also stop their attacks and military movements on Panjshir and Andarab," Massoud said in the Facebook post.
Six countries neighbouring Afghanistan — Pakistan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — have discussed the situation in the Central Asian nation during a video conference, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his newly appointed Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, discussed the recent developments in Afghanistan on Saturday and agreed to hold a virtual conference on the matter along with other neighbours.
"Pakistan hosted a virtual meeting of Special Representatives/Envoys of neighbours of Afghanistan, today. Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, chaired the session. China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated," the ministry said in a statement.
The participants exchanged views on the latest developments and pointed to the need to develop "a regional approach to address common challenges and to realise the new opportunities arising from a stable Afghanistan," the ministry added.
The Pakistani ambassador noted that "a prosperous and peaceful" Afghanistan would contribute to the integration of regional economies, as well as enhance trade and regional connectivity.
The participants in the virtual meeting agreed to remain in close contact, the ministry added.
