KABUL: Addressing the general session of the High Peace Co-uncil meeting onSaturday, President Ghani said the peace door for those involved in therecent attacks in Af-ghanistan is no longer open and that government willhunt the attackers down no matter where they are hiding.
“The door of peace for those behind the tragedy (in Afghanistan) isclosed,” he said.
“We will chase them (militants) anywhere they hide. Afghanistan will takerevenge, but wisely.”
He said the severity of the Kabul attacks this month was because of thesuccess of the High Peace Council, not the failure of Afghans.
He said the Taliban at war with Afghanistan, those killing the people, arenot part of Afghanistan’s society and that recent attacks in Kabul havedefined this route.
Ghani said war is the only option against those who carried out suchheinous crimes. But peace was in the interests of the nation, he said.
Ghani added that the issues discussed at Saturday’s conference will beshared with the international community at the Kabul Process conference –which will be held later this month.
At Saturday’s event, Mohammad Karim Khalili, the head of the High PeaceCouncil, said a negotiations process is the only way to ensure enduringpeace in Afghanistan.
He said people have consensus on two issues: the need for peace andreaching peace through an Afghan-led process.
He added that one of the reasons that people align themselves with theTaliban is because of shortcomings in government. He recommends governmentbring reforms so as to prevent people from joining militant groups.
Khalili stated that the HPC will start negotiations with anti-governmentarmed militants who want to negotiate.
He commended the Afghan security forces for defending the country againstthreats but said a peace process was the only way to achieve lasting peace.