A senior Afghan official appointed to lead the much-anticipated peace talks with the Taliban said on Saturday that his team was ready to begin dialogue with the insurgents "at any moment".
Abdullah Abdullah, who heads a council to represent the government in negotiations, said an ongoing lull in violence following a surprise ceasefire offered by the insurgents had set the tone for discussions.
"The announcement of the ceasefire, a reduction in violence and the exchange of prisoners have all paved the way for a good beginning," Mr Abdullah said at his first press conference since taking on the role.
"The negotiating team is ready to begin the talks at any moment," he said.
However, he insisted on a ceasefire during the talks.
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Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
A soldier speaks to a Taliban prisoner. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Prisoners sit in a bus taking them to Kabul, from where they are free to take public transportation home. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid-Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Released Taliban prisoners depart a government prison outside Kabul near Bagram Airbase. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Government soldiers accompany the prisoners until they have been dropped off at a bus station in Kabul. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Abdullah Wasi, 27, (here, fingerprinting a form) said after his release, he would do “whatever God asks of me.” Prisoners sign or fingerprint a declaration saying that they won't return to the battlefield once freed. Each one receives 5,000 Afghani ($65) for food and their journey home. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
Taliban prisoners wait for their release at a government prison north of Kabul. 900 prisoners were released throughout Afghanistan on Tuesday, the last day of the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr and the last day of the three-day ceasefire. Stefanie Glinski for The National -
"We needed this quiet time,” explained Marwa Faizi (left). Stefanie Glinski for The National
The Taliban offered a rare three-day ceasefire that ended on Tuesday night to mark the Eid Al Fitr festival.
Officials blamed the Taliban for carrying out some deadly attacks against security forces since it ended, but also acknowledged an overall fall in violence across much of the country.
The government responded by accelerating the release of hundreds of Taliban prisoners.
Peace talks between the government and Taliban were scheduled to begin before March 10.
US President Donald Trump's administration has made it a priority to end America's longest war, and US officials have pushed the Taliban and government leaders to hold peace talks in an effort to pull out foreign forces.
Mr Abdullah was appointed to lead the peace talks after he ended his bitter political feud with President Ashraf Ghani earlier this month.
He had announced himself as a rival president after he rejected the result of the September election which was won by incumbent Mr Ghani.
The political feud and delays over the prisoner exchange helped delay the talks.
But with the end of the dispute, the Afghan government team appeared united, a member of Mr Abdullah's negotiating team said.
"We were not on the same page, now we all are united, (we are) all on the same page on the question of peace," said Matin Bek, a senior government official.
He said the talks with Taliban could start next month.
