Trump urges Afghans to seize chance of peace
President Donald Trump has called on Afghans to embrace prospects for peace, as the united states prepares to sign an agreement with the Taliban on Saturday.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is because of attend the signing in Qatar. The agreement will dsicover thousands of US troops withdraw from Afghanistan in substitution for security guarantees.
It follows a week-long partial truce with the Taliban.
The accord raises hopes for a wider peace process after 18 years of war.
"Soon, within my direction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will witness the signing of an agreement with representatives of the Taliban," President Trump announced in a statement on Friday.
He added that the deal had the potential to create "a robust path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home".
"Ultimately it'll be up to the persons of Afghanistan to work out their future," Mr Trump said. "We, therefore, urge the Afghan persons to seize this chance of peace and a fresh future because of their country."
The agreement would start to see the Taliban consent to hold talks with the Afghan government, that they have dismissed previously as American "puppets".
The week-long truce before the signing is judged to have largely held, with only minor incidents.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper will maintain Kabul on Saturday to sign a joint declaration with the Afghan government.
