'No peace in Afghanistan till foreign forces withdraw'

Taliban's new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor has linked peace in Afghanistan to the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the militancy-plagued country.

In a message ahead of Muslims' annual religious festival the Eidul Adha, Mullah Mansoor said, "If Kabul administration wants peace to return to the country, it should annul all defence and security agreements with occupying forces."

The Afghanistan government has signed Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US which allows some 13,800 strong NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission to remain in Afghanistan, reported Xinhua news agency.

The new Taliban leader in his message said "occupying troops" have been defeated in Afghanistan and the day of victory for Mujahideen is getting closer.

Mansoor also said Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban's former regime) wants to have friendly relations with all countries, especially the Islamic world, and has been seeking their role in ending the war and returning peace to Afghanistan.

Eidul Adha will be celebrated on Thursday amid tight security. However, the military is concerned that the militants would organise suicide attacks to kill people.

Mansoor in his message has called upon his followers not to hurt civilians during military operations.