KABUL – *Afghanistan’s High Peace Council will prepare a timetable for thewithdrawal of foreign forces from the country if the Taliban sign a peaceagreement with the Afghan government, an official from the council said.*

This he said would be a different peace offer than that made by PresidentAshraf Ghani recently.

The High Peace Council believes that the Taliban should not setpreconditions for talks with the Afghan government, a spokesman for thecouncil, Ehsan Taheri said.

“This is crystal clear that no one wants their security to be ensured byforeigners,” Taheri said.

“No doubt, the timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistanwill be prepared when peace is ensured and when the Taliban share theiroffers at the negotiations table.”

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah mentioned peace as a real demand ofAfghans when he addressed the opening of an art exhibition in Kabul onSaturday.

“The people of Afghanistan have proved that they want peace betweenthemselves and with all involved groups in the country,” Abdullah said.

The second deputy speaker of parliament, Amir Khan Yar, meanwhile said arejection of government’s peace offer will not be in the interests of thecountry.

“It is a good opportunity. Taliban should also come and answer to the peaceoffer; because this is in favor of all and they (Taliban) should prove thatthey want peace,” he said.