A group of 80 prisoners were released on Thursday, said National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal, tweeting that it would "speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire". Both sides have said they are ready to begin talks in Doha, Qatar, within days of the prisoners being freed. Also read - Afghan peace talks close after Taliban prisoner release approvedThe prisoners include some 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks. Ghani warned on Thursday that their release was a "danger" to the world. "Until this issue, there was a consensus on the desirability of peace but not on the cost of it," Ghani said in a videoconference organized by a US think tank.

Source: Dhaka Tribune August 14, 2020 04:30 UTC