Lay down arms and begin peace talks, US tells Taliban

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Joining the international community in condemning the Taliban, the White House on Saturday urged the Taliban to put down arms and begin peace talks.

“We call again on the Taliban to put down their arms and begin peace talks, which is the surest way to end the conflict in a peaceful manner,” the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, said, a day after the attack on a Lebanese restaurant in the Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic district killed 21 people including four employees of the UN and a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official.

Carney, in his statement, commended the quick and skillful response of Afghan security services in the aftermath of the attack.

“There is no possible justification for this attack, which has killed innocent civilians, including Americans, working every day to help the Afghan people achieve a better future. We send condolences to all the victims of the attack and their families, and pray for a speedy recovery for those injured,” he added.

In New York, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, described the gruesome attack as “another sad moment” for the international body.

 “As the United Nations mourns this terrorist attack and its victims, we remain committed to work for the peace, stability and development of Afghanistan. We fully support the transition of Afghanistan toward a better future in peace, development and security,” Ban said.

Extending deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this senseless violence, the State Department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said the US and its international partners remain steadfast in their commitment to the people of Afghanistan and support their efforts toward peace, reconciliation, and a secure, stable, and prosperous nation.

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