UN receives 'signals' from Taliban for peace talks in Afghanistan

The United Nations' political mission in Afghanistan has received signals from the Taliban of a willingness to talk about human rights and reducing civilian casualties in the country.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had sought to reach out to the Taliban through public and private channels to discuss civilian casualties and how to reduce them, mission chief Jan Kubis told reporters in Kabul.

According to news.com.au, he said they have received signals from the Taliban about their willingness and readiness to discuss these issues with them.

UNAMA said nearly 2,499 civilians have been killed or wounded so far this year n Afghanistan.

The mission said civilian deaths and injuries across the country increased by 24 percent compared to the same period in 2012.

Taliban militants have been fighting for more than a decade against Afghan and NATO-led international troops in Afghanistan, the report said.

Kubis said anti-government forces, which include the Taliban and other armed groups, were largely responsible for the increase in civilian casualties, including a number of children, the report added.