WASHINGTON – Pentagon breaks silence over historic deal with AfghanTaliban, claim to be a good deal for Afghanistan and America both.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said Washington is seeking a “good deal”with the Taliban after a wave of violence overshadowed its talks with themilitant group.

“The United States’ view is that the best way forward is a politicalagreement and that (is what) we’re working diligently on right now, thatdoesn’t mean we’ll take any deal,” Esper said on Saturday during a pressconference in Paris with his French counterpart.

“We will make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guaranteesat least the security of our countries going forward and a brighter pathahead for the Afghan people,” he stated.

Esper’s remarks came after Washington and the militant group reached adraft peace agreement this week, which has been criticized by the Afghangovernment of President Ashraf Ghani.

Under the draft accord, thousands of US troops would be withdrawn over thecoming months from Afghanistan. In exchange, the Taliban would guaranteethat Afghanistan would not be used as a base for militant attacks on the USand its allies.

This comes as Taliban militants launched fresh assaults in the westernprovince of Farah on Friday.