Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has signed a decree to release 1,500 Taliban prisoners as a goodwill gesture to begin intra-Afghan talks, AP reported.

According to the decree, the first stage of release will take place based on the age, state of health and the term of serving the sentence. Released prisoners are required to give a written guarantee that they will not return to the battlefield.

The remaining 3,500 prisoners will be released after the start of the intra-Afghan talks, and another 500 ones every two weeks if the Taliban reduces the level of violence.

The US Department of State has earlier issued a statement noting that the level of violence is unacceptable. According to it, although the Taliban have stopped attacking US-led coalition forces in Afghan cities, rural violence remains too high.

The statement also said Afghan 'presidential electoral crisis' delayed the creation of a national negotiation team and the start of intra-Afghan talks, which were expected to begin on Tuesday in Oslo.

Despite political chaos in Kabul and rising violence, the US began withdrawing its troops under the agreement signed on February 29 with the Taliban.

In the first phase, Washington will reduce its troops contingent to 8,600. If the Taliban adhere to their commitments, Washington will withdraw the remainder of its troops over 14 months.