Afghan peace talks: Taliban agrees to reduce violence

Afghan peace talks called for an end to civilian casualties and the protection of women's rights within an Islamic framework. Taliban has also agreed to reduce violence.

Doha:The Taliban has agreed to reduce violence by stopping attacks on "religious centres, schools, hospitals, educational centres, bazaars, water dams and workplaces" in Afghanistan, that could expedite the end of the 18-year war in the war-torn nation, the media reported on Tuesday.

The agreement taken at the Intra-Afghan Dialogue Conference on Peace in Doha on Monday night came in the form of a resolution prepared by a committee of six members from Kabul and three members from the Taliban, reported media.

The participants from Kabul such as politicians, civil society members, and government officials.

The resolution also called for an end to civilian casualties and the protection of women's rights within an "Islamic framework".

Meanwhile, Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani, the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, hailed the success of intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha as the first step into the "journey of a thousand miles", media reported.

Qahtani said that the resolution might be a first step to find an understanding between the conflicting parties.

He hoped that this event would mark the beginning of a meaningful process leading to a comprehensive and sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

The non-binding agreement comes as the seventh round of talks between American negotiators and the insurgents is expected to resume later on Tuesday.

The two-sides hope to reach an agreement that would see US troops withdraw in return for a commitment that Afghanistan would not be used as a terror base.

The Taliban has refused to hold direct negotiations with the Afghan government until the US announces a timetable for the withdrawal.