King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia released a statement regarding the Afghan ceasefire and reconciliation a few days ago.
The Saudi Royal Court stated that the King followed the truce with great interest during those few days.
In the statement, His Majesty welcomed the ceasefire during Eid Al-Fitr by the Taliban and the Afghan government. He added that he hopes the truce and reconciliation will be renewed after the Muslim holiday earlier this month. This was the first time the Taliban had agreed to a ceasefire since the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 after the terrorist attack (9/11) on September 11 of that year that killed almost 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
According to the Khaama Press News Agency, the King is hopeful that the ceasefire will be “built upon for a longer period so that all parties could work together to achieve peace for the Afghan people.”
Additionally, he expressed his belief that the Afghan people – who have suffered under years of war – “were looking forward to turning the page of the past and to open a new one based on tolerance and reconciliation, renounce violence and preserve the lives of innocent people.”
His Majesty also sent his prayers that the Afghans would have success in what is best for their country, as well as for security and stability to be brought to the nation. The King’s statement has added to optimism that peace talks with the Taliban and the Afghan government could resume.
The United States has expressed its support for the King’s statement. The Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Heather Nauert, said, “The United States welcomes Saudi Arabia’s recent call for an extension of the ceasefire between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban.
“This reflects Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in combating terrorism and furthers our mutual goal of regional peace and stability.”
