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Pompeo Urges Afghan Rivals to Refrain From Violence After Eid Truce

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hailed the
   temporary Eid cease-fire in Afghanistan as a "tremendous opportunity"
   for advancing peace efforts in the war-torn country.
   The Taliban insurgency announced the truce just hours before the
   three-day Eid al-Fitr festivities began Sunday, marking the end of the
   Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
   Afghan President Ashraf Ghani swiftly reciprocated by ordering
   government forces to cease fighting during the holiday and also
   "initiated a process" to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners.
   "We worked hard to achieve this moment," Pompeo said Sunday while
   welcoming the break in Afghan hostilities that have killed and injured
   hundreds of people in recent weeks.

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