UN Voices Disappointment At Afghan Taliban's Rejection Of Offer To Extend Ceasefire

Sumaira FH Published June 19, 2018 | 11:20 AM

UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jun, 2018 ) :The United Nations Monday has expressed its disappointment over the Taliban's rejection of the extension of the ceasefire announced by the Afghan government, saying the war-weary people of Afghanistan deserve peace.

"We're obviously disappointed that they (the Taliban) have not accepted the Government's offer of continued ceasefire," the UN Secretary-General's Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing in New York on Monday.

"We think the people of Afghanistan are deserving of peace and of reconciliation," he added.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an extension of the government's own ceasefire, which was due to expire on Wednesday, in the hopes that the Taliban would follow suit.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has all along taken the position that the only solution to the conflict in Afghanistan is through an inclusive political process.