US welcomes Afghanistan's peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami

Hizb-e Islami Gulbuddin is Afghanistan's second-biggest militant group

The United States has lauded the peace agreement signed between Afghanistan and Hizb-e Islami Gulbuddin, appreciating the step to seek a peaceful resolution through political dialogue and negotiation.

"We applaud both parties for seeking a peaceful resolution through political dialogue and negotiation, we commend the agreement as an important demonstration of the Afghan government's commitment to restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan," Spokesman of the National Security Council, the White House, Ned Price said yesterday.

These steps towards seeking a peaceful resolution to decades of conflict can only benefit the people of Afghanistan, he said.

The deal with Hizb-e Islami, Afghanistan's second-biggest militant group, marks a symbolic victory for President Ashraf Ghani, who has struggled to revive peace talks with the more powerful Taliban.

"The US continues to support an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process in which armed groups cease violence, break ties with international terrorist groups and accept the Constitution, including protections for women and minorities," Price said.

In another statement, the State Department Spokesman John Kirby commended Afghanistan for its achievement in forging an accord with Hizb-e Islami Gulbuddin.

"We look forward to supporting steps towards a comprehensive resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan," he said.