KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan has urged the Saudi government to play aproactive role in achieving a lasting ceasefire in the war-torn country.

Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar, who recently held wide-rangingtalks with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan, issued the call in aninterview.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the minister said: “We are very grateful forthe special attention received from the Custodian of the Two Holy MosquesKing Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

Atmar appreciated their eagerness to boost the Afghan-Saudi relationshipand generous aid the oil-rich kingdom was extending to theconflict-shattered nation.

The Ashraf Ghani administration had honoured all commitments it held out tothe Taliban, the diplomat insisted, asking the militant movement todischarge its obligations and prove its intentions.

Atmar explained: “We have released over 6,000 detainees and met all thedemands made by the Taliban.

“Now the Taliban must prove to the Afghan people and the internationalcommunity that they are fulfilling the promises and obligations theysigned,” he stressed.

He viewed the Doha peace talks as a good start for reaching reconciliationwith the Taliban. But the dialogue was inadequate without international andregional participation, he believed.

On Taliban’s attempts to dodge blame for growing violence in Afghanistan,Atmar said the best way for the rebel outfit to prove its desire for peacewas to agree to a ceasefire.

A ceasefire agreement would serve as the best evidence of the Talibanshunning violence, remarked Atmar.