Afghan security members stand guard at a checkpoint after Taliban attacks on Dih Yak and Jaghato districts in Ghazni city, capital of Ghazni province, Afghanistan, May 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)
MOSCOW, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday hailed the Afghan government's decision on the extension of a temporary ceasefire regime with the Taliban insurgent group and hoped it will help end the civil war.
"We welcome the statement by President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the extension of the temporary ceasefire announced by the Afghan government on the occasion of the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the Afghan government announced an eight-day ceasefire from the 27th day of Ramadan on June 12 to June 19, the fifth day of the second largest annual religious festival Eid-ul-Fitr, to encourage the Taliban to support the national reconciliation process.
On Sunday, an Afghan Security Council meeting chaired by President Ghani extended the ceasefire for another 10 days.
"We express hope that the new initiative of Kabul will give impetus to ending the fratricidal war on the long-suffering Afghan land and will contribute to the beginning of a peaceful dialogue and the process of national reconciliation," the statement said.
The ministry also said it is important that the decision to stop hostilities does not apply to international terrorists groups operating in Afghanistan.
The Taliban militants, who ruled Afghanistan before being ousted in late 2001, have been waging an insurgency of more than 17 years.