WASHINGTON: The United States has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani’s offerof a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban toallow the people to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr without fear of violence.

“This ceasefire further demonstrates the Afghan government’s commitment toexplore ways to end the conflict,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saidin a statement issued by the State Department.

The statement notes that the ceasefire follows the Afghan Ulema Council’scall for the Taliban to end their campaign of violence against the Afghangovernment and the people. “The Afghan offer of a temporary ceasefireunderscores its commitment to peace as both a national and religiousresponsibility,” Pompeo said.

“We stand with the Afghan people as they lay the foundation for anAfghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process,” he said in the statement. Insupport of the Afghan government’s initiative, NATO’s Resolute SupportMission and US forces in Afghanistan will respect the ceasefire, as itapplies to the Taliban.

“It does not apply to ISIS and al-Qa’ida, nor does it prohibit operationsto defend Afghan and coalition forces from attack,” the statement adds.“The US and our international partners look to the Taliban to honour theceasefire and demonstrate their respect for the Afghan people who have longcalled for a reprieve to the Taliban’s campaign of violence.”