Saudi king hopes for renewal of ceasefire between Kabul, Taliban

Riyadh, June 21 (IANS) Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his hope that the ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban will be renewed, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Afghanistan has extended its unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban following an initial truce observed by both sides over the Eid al-Fitr festival period this week. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appealed to the militants to follow the government's lead and enter peace talks.

The Saudi Royal Court highlighted in a statement on Wednesday that the agreement over Eid al-Fitr holiday in Afghanistan was welcomed by the Saudi leader and should be extended to achieve peace for the Afghan people.

The Saudi king highlighted that people in Afghanistan had been suffering the implications of decades of wars and hope for a new chapter of tolerance, anti-violence and the protection of innocent people.