Kabul warns insurgents to join peace efforts

Kabul, June 25 (IANS) The President of Afghanistan called on insurgents on Sunday to give up arms and join the ongoing peace process initiated by Kabul.

"I clearly tell the armed militants, who bring tragedy to our people every day: you don't have time, take a decision; if you are Afghan (then) join peace, if not, then face the bravery of the Afghan security forces," Ashraf Ghani said in an address to the nation after holding the Eid-al-Fitr prayer at the Presidential palace, reports Efe news.

Remarking that both the insurgents as well as their supporters were "isolated", Ghani said Afghanistan enjoys backing from the international community as well as the Afghan people.

Emphasizing peace as the only alternative available to the insurgents, the Afghan leader said: "We want peace and our conditions are clear."

His remarks came a day after the Kabul visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said Beijing was looking to back an Afghan-led peace accord, and also offered to mediate with Pakistan.

Ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan have strained, with both exchanging blames for encouraging or turning a blind eye to terror activities on either territory.

This month, Afghan authorities launched the Kabul Process, a peace initiative backed by numerous countries and international organizations, but rejected by the insurgency movement Taliban.

The first and so far only official meeting between the Taliban and the government took place in July 2015, but the process was halted days later as news of the killing of Taliban founder Mullah Omar broke.

The Taliban has since refused to negotiate.

Since the end of the NATO combat mission, insurgents have been gaining ground in different parts of the strife-torn country.