KABUL - The Presidential Palace on Wednesday welcomed the Hezb-i-Islamic Afghanistan (HIA) participation in talks, saying the security forces would continue fighting against the militants opposed to the peace process.
Dawa Khan Minapal, deputy spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani, told reporters in Kabul the government had preferred Islamic and Afghan values in inviting the Taliban to peace negotiations -- a move that also supported by foreigners.
But the militants continued killing Afghans, he regretted. “We are ready to enforce Allah’s order that allows fighting against those who are fighting against you…Allah does not like oppressors.”
He said the Afghans were ready to render any sacrifice in defence of their country and Islamic values. The security forces would continue fighting against Afghanistan’s enemies, he added.
It was the responsibility of the security forces to crush those who were directed by outsiders to kill the Afghans and disrupt peace and stability in the country, he said.
But he hastened to add: “The government welcomes the stance of the HIA, led by Gulbadin Hekmatyar, on the peace process. Now he seems to prefer a political solution to the conflict in the country.”
A two-member HIA delegation is busy holding negotiations with representatives of the Afghan government for the past one month.
However, the Taliban have ruled out direct talks with the government. A day earlier, the militant group announced the launch of its spring offensive, codenamed Omari. (Pajhwok)