The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading the U.S. delegation in the new round of talks with the Taliban in Doha, the capital of Qatar, has told the group’s representatives on the opening session that it is time to stop violence and embrace peace.

In our opening session, I underscored to the Talibs that the Afghan people, who are their brothers & sisters, want this war to end. It is time to put down arms, stop the violence, & embrace peace, Khalilzad said in a tweet on Friday.

Meanwhile, in a reaction to Khalilzad’s remarks, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban militant group said in a statement on Friday, Khalilzad should forget about the idea that we (Taliban fighters) would put down our arms. Instead of such fantasies, he should drive the idea to the U.S. about ending the use of force and incurring further human and financial losses for the sustaining the Kabul administration(the Afghan Government).

The two parties will discuss the four components of the framework agreement, which was agreed upon in the last two rounds of talks, which are: foreign troop withdrawal, guarantees that will prevent the use of Afghanistan soil by any groups or individuals against the security of the United States or any other country, intra-afghan dialogue and negotiations, and reduction in violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire, Qatar-based QNA News reported.

Pointing out to this, Khalilzad added, Peace will require that we find common-ground on four inter-connected issues: troop withdrawal, counter-terrorism assurances, intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations, and reduction in the violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.

According to QNA News, the State of Qatar, which acts as the mediator in this conflict, welcomes the current round of talks between the United States and the Taliban and considers this round of important development to achieve peace in Afghanistan.

The State of Qatar hopes that these rounds of talks will achieve the desired results to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan, the report added.