KABUL - Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on Saturday said he remains optimistic about the outcome of the ongoing peace negotiations between the Afghan Republic and the Taliban negotiators even though violence remains "unacceptably" high in the country.
Abdullah reiterated that Afghan Republic negotiators entered the second round of the talks with a firm determination and with the hope to reach ceasefire.
“We have not lost hope in the process, but it would have been good if ceasefire was announced in the first stage,” Abdullah said at a ceremony in his office that was established to form a youth committee for peace.
The negotiators in Doha have not held a meeting over the last 11 days, except three meetings held back-to-back from Jan. 6 to 10 between working groups of both sides to finalize the agenda for the negotiations.
Abdullah said when it comes to peace, efforts might be needed for reintegration in the country, explaining the scenario of what comes next in Afghanistan as a result of talks.  
“The issue of reintegration comes next once we reach peace,” Abdullah said. 
Last week, President Ashraf Ghani warned of “severe” consequences of an interim setup as part of peace efforts in the country, saying that election is the only way for the transfer of power in Afghanistan.
“Based on what authority are they talking about an interim government?” Ghani asked as he addressed a ceremony in the western province of Herat on Thursday. 
Ghani said that the Afghan government is strong and has national, regional and international credibility.
Afghan experts said that the Taliban so far has not said anything about their integration with the incumbent government.
“We have never heard from the Taliban that they will join this government,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan
According to the sources familiar with the Afghan peace talks, the Taliban has demanded the release of additional 7,000 of its prisoners, the removal of some Taliban names from the blacklist and the establishment of an Islamic system to help expedite the peace process. (TOLO NEWS)