UN chief welcomes direct talks between Afghan government and Taliban

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday welcomed direct talks held one day ago between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives in Pakistan.

The first-ever formal talks for peace between the Afghan government delegation and representatives of the Taliban were held in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan on late Tuesday.

Ban reiterated his support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, and expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the parties and the constructive role of the host, Pakistan, according to a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said that the preliminary peace talks would include three major parts i.e. changing the initial peace talks process to a continued course, trust building and preparing a list of the most important demands in the agenda for peace talks.

"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan while welcoming beginning the formal talks as the first step towards achieving peace is hopeful that the process could facilitate the way for achieving lasting and honorable peace in the country," said a statement of Afghan foreign ministry.