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Afghanistan to Release 400 Taliban Prisoners Ahead of Peace Talks

VOA News

   Afghanistan's grand assembly, the Loya Jirga, approved the release of
   400 Taliban prisoners Sunday, creating conditions to begin peace talks
   in the war-torn country.

   "In order to remove an obstacle, the start of the peace process and an
   end of bloodshed, the Loya Jirga approves the release of 400 Taliban,"
   assembly resolution said.

   The Loya Jirga was called into session Friday in the capital, Kabul, to
   discuss the release of Taliban prisoners, ahead of peace talks.

   The Afghan government has released almost 5,000 Taliban prisoners so
   far.

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