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Afghanistan Begins Releasing Remaining 400 Taliban Prisoners

VOA News

   Afghanistan has begun releasingthe last 400 of itsTalibanprisoners,
   government officials said Friday. Eighty of theprisoners were released
   Thursdayofficials said.

   The releaseis a condition for startingpeace negotiationsin the
   war-ravagedcountry.

   The U.S and the Taliban signed a prisoner release agreement earlier
   this year, calling for the Taliban to release the1,000government and
   military personneltheyheld captiveand for the government to release
   5,000 Taliban prisoners.

   The release of the last 400Talibanwas problematicbecause of the "major
   crimes" they had committed, according to Afghan officials.

   However, a council of elders was adjourned last
   weekendtodeterminewhether the Taliban prisoners should bereleased.

   Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned Thursday that the last 400 Taliban
   prisoners present a "danger"tothe world.

   Peace talksbetween the Taliban and the Afghan governmentare expected
   totake placein Qatar and could begin later this month.

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