The Taliban will not participate in intra-Afghan negotiations until the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners, Reuters reported refereeing to Taliban spokesman. 

According to a deal between the US and the Taliban concluded on Saturday, both parties pledge to seek the release of military and political prisoners as a confidence-building measure. The deal provides for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 prisoners of war by the Afghan government by March 10.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who did not participate in the talks, rejected this demand.

“We are fully ready for the intra-Afghan talks, but we are waiting for the release of our 5,000 prisoners,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters by phone.

“If our 5,000 prisoners - 100 or 200 more or less does not matter - do not get released there will be no intra-Afghan talks.”

The US said it hopes talks for a permanent political settlement and ceasefire could begin in the coming days, but Western diplomats and analysts see serious problems.

While Ghani yesterday said that US President Donald Trump did not ask for the release of prisoners and this issue should be discussed within comprehensive peace deal.

Zabihullah said that most of the 5000 prisoners were captured by US forces and held in Afghan government prisons, and that they preferred sick and elderly prisoners. According to him, the agreement to reduce violence in the seven days preceding the conclusion of the Saturday pact in Doha, has officially ended.

“As we are receiving reports that people are enjoying the reduction in violence, we don’t want to spoil their happiness, but it does not mean that we will not take our normal military activities back to the level that we were before,” he said. “It could be any time, it could be after an hour, tonight, tomorrow or the day after.”

Under the deal, the US pledges to reduce its troop strength in Afghanistan to 8,600 from 13,000 within 135 days of signing.