Elements of the Taliban are open to talks with the Afghan government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday as he arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit. Mattis flew into the war-torn city two weeks after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban. Thanks to the political process, Mattis said America is now looking towards victory in Afghanistan after more than 16 years of conflict. "It's all working to achieve a political reconciliation, not a military victory," Mattis said. Mattis also said he had seen some changes in Pakistan's behaviour since Trump blasted the country last year for harbouring the Taliban.

Source: dna March 13, 2018 10:39 UTC