Ghani comments on US deal with the Taliban

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday the "critical test" for ending the war in Afghanistan was whether the Taliban would "accept an election".

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ghani's comments relate to the expected announcement of a truce agreement between the United States and the Taliban.

The peace deal would call for negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to start next month, an eventual countrywide cease-fire and a commitment from the Taliban not to harbour terrorist groups like al Qaida, while setting a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops.

Ghani, who has been skeptical of the scheme, had met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday.

Much of the success of the agreement will depend on the results of the all-Afghan negotiations, if and when they get off the ground.

Ghani has insisted he lead the talks, while his political opponents and other prominent Afghans have called for more inclusive representation at the negotiating table.

The Afghan president said on Saturday a political solution must be found to end the war.