Kabul, August 18 (TNS): Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) urged the Afghani Rivals on Saturday to engage in peace talks and end hostilities once and for all.
OIC Secretary General Yousuf Al-Othaimeen said in a statement that his “growing concern on ever rising collateral casualties among civilian population”.
At least 500 Taliban fighters, 145 security personnel and 60 civilians were killed in four-day long clashes in the city of Ghazni earlier this week.
“There can be no military solution in Afghanistan. Time is long overdue for a lasting political settlement,” Al-Othaimeen said.
“Muslim Ummah (nation) expects and hopes that the Afghan Government’s unconditional offer for a negotiated solution finds response among the armed opposition,” he added.
The violence came amid reports about ongoing efforts to hold peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban to end the conflict in the war-torn country.
Afghan government’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah confirmed last month, in the first official reaction, that a meeting had taken place between the U.S. and the Taliban to initiate the peace process.
