REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RIYADH -- King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, welcomes Eid al-Fitr truce between Afghanistan government and the Taliban. He also called on for renewal of truce between Kabul and Taliban.
In his official statement received by Republika.co.id on Thursday (June 21), the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman said that he has followed with great interest the truce reached by the Afghan government and Taliban movement during the days of Eid al-Fitr. He said that the truce was a blessed step.
King Salman supported the truce and hoped it will be renewed. He expected it will be build upon for a longer period so that all parties can work together to achieve peace for the Afghan people.
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Taliban militia gathers with local people of Surkhroad district, Nangarhar province, Kabul, Afghanistan, during Eid al-Fitr truce on Saturday (June 16).
He added that the Afghan people, who have suffered so much from the horrors of war, and the Islamic world with them, are looking forward to turning the page of the past. They wished to open a new page based on tolerance and reconciliation, renouncing violence and preserving the lives of innocent people based on the great Islamic teachings that call for rejecting division, and for cooperation for righteousness and piety, and forgiveness and reconciliation among the brothers.
The King asked Almighty God to bring success to the Afghan brothers in achieving what is best for their country. He also prayed the truce will bring reconciliation, security and stability to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its dear people.
Previously, Taliban militants headed into cities across Afghanistan on Sunday as they celebrate their unprecedented Eid ceasefire, raising questions about what happens should the hugs and selfies stop and the festive atmosphere and calls for peace turn sour.
President Ashraf Ghani extended the government ceasefire on Saturday, garnering praise at home and international backing, but critics said such overtures have allowed the Taliban to pour into cities unchecked and win the upper hand. Ecstatic men and children crowded around the soldiers and Taliban fighters, some who had checked in their weapons at the entrances to cities, over the weekend and urged them to extend their ceasefire into a permanent peace.
Governors and senior government officials hosted small feasts, played music to welcome the Taliban after they announced a three-day ceasefire over Eid, marking the close of the month-long Ramadan fasting season that ends on Sunday.
Ghani, in an address to the nation, urged the Taliban to extend their ceasefire and begin peace talks. He said he wanted to discuss "issues of mutual concern with neighboring countries and the presence of foreign forces".
His office has yet to declare a new timeframe for the extended ceasefire.
A senior western diplomat in Kabul said Ghani's decision was "a bold move' but questioned what would happen if the Taliban rejected the fresh ceasefire request. "The consequences could be disastrous," he said.
Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council supported the decision and urged the Taliban to extend their ceasefire. "Good steps for peace have been taken, but more steps have to be taken," said council chairman Karim Khalili.
However, on Wednesday (June 20), Taliban fighters killed 30 security forces in an ambush on two checkpoints in the western province of Badghis. The attack came days after the Taliban said they would resume fighting despite President Ashraf Ghani decision to extend the Eid al-Fitr truce for 10 days.
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