KABUL – President Ashraf Ghani on Friday evening talked on phone with USVice President Mike Pence, Presidential Palace said in a statement.

Ghani and Pence discussed recent terrorist incidents in the country andother relevant issues on peace and security in Afghanistan, the statementadded.

“Afghanistan has strong will to fight against terrorism and also it has astrong will to ensure enduring peace and bring reforms (to governmentdepartments),” Ghani told the US vice president.

Mr. Pence expressed his condolences to the people and government ofAfghanistan over recent terrorist incidents in Kabul and Nangarharprovinces on behalf of the American people and government, the PresidentialPalace said.

The US vice president said the United States will stand by Afghan peopleand government in the current situation.

He added that the US government and forces are ready to help the people ofAfghanistan with a strong will.

President Ghani meanwhile said the Saturday’s deadly attack was similar tothe 9/11 attack and that such incidents strengthen Afghanistan’s will tofight terrorists.

“The time has come for the Taliban to select. Those Taliban who are Afghanand Muslim must condemn the recent terrorist attacks, and those who are notdoing this are terrorists and the Afghan government will not negotiate withthem,” Ghani said as mentioned in the statement.

The deadly ambulance bombing in Sedarat Square in Kabul on Saturday morningclaimed more than 100 lives and wounded at least 250 others.

The attack was carried out by the Taliban as the group claimed in astatement.