KABUL – The Taliban militants group has reiterated its longstanding demandin a bid to reach to a peace deal with the Afghan government as efforts areunderway to revive peace talks with the group.

The group published an article in response to the ongoing efforts anddemands for reconciliation, stating that if the Kabul government hasinterests and belief in peace and wants true reconciliation, then it shouldend the security agreement with the foreigners.

Taliban says peace efforts should only a motive for peace and such effortsshould not have a motive for instrumental use to achieve victory in the war.

The group went on to claim that slogans for peace will result intoelimination of reconciliation and further escalation of war.

Taliban also accused the government and supporters of Afghanistan for nothaving tendency towards peace and for hostage taking of reconciliation anderecting walls on the way of peace.

This comes as President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Saturday said the nationdemands peace and an end to the conflict and the government has positivelyresponded to the demands, emphasizing it is the time that the Talibanshould also respond positively.

Announcing the end of the extended ceasefire with the Taliban, PresidentGhani said the Taliban group is facing the nation, religious scholars ofthe country as well as Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Imams and the clerics ofthe Islamic world.

He said such pressures existed on the government as well which have beensidelined responsibly and the time has come that the Taliban should alsoprove their responsibility and decide on how they are going to face thepressures.

President Ghani once again called on Taliban to reconcile as he emphasizedthat the existing pressures are domestic and have no links with the outside.