President Ashraf Ghani once again called for peace and reconciliation during the holy month of Ramadan.

I once again call on the Taliban to respect this holy month and address the demand of Afghans for peace and reconciliation which was reflected at the Loya Jirga for peace, Ghani said in a video message on the occasion of Ramadan.

Afghanistan’s High Peace Council in a statement called on the Afghan government and Taliban to announce a ceasefire in Ramadan as goodwill for direct talks between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the UN mission in Afghanistan, the US embassy in Kabul, the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan and other foreign envoys have wished a blessed Ramadan to the Afghan nation and urged for peace and stability in the war-torn country.

Last week, more than 3,000 members of the Consultative Loya Jirga on Peace in a resolution called for a ceasefire during the Ramadan but the Taliban insurgent group rejected the demand of the Jirga, saying fighting has more reward during the period.