KABUL—A traditional Afghan council agreed to release 400 Taliban prisoners accused of major crimes, paving the way for U.S.-backed direct talks between the country’s warring factions to end the nearly two-decade Afghan war. The council, known as the Loya Jirga, said in a declaration Sunday it was calling for a start to peace negotiations and an immediate cease-fire.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 09, 2020 13:55 UTC