Afghanistan’s government has started releasing the last 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for long-delayed peace talks.
Eighty prisoners were set free Thursday, officials said, some whose crimes include attacks on Afghans and foreigners.
The release was a condition to begin negotiations to end 19 years of conflict in the country.
Peace talks are expected to start in Qatar within days of the full release.
On the weekend, an Afghan grand assembly of elders approved the release of the 400 Taliban prisoners accused of “major” crimes after authorities initially refused to free the militants.
The prisoners include some 44 insurgents who are of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their roles in high-profile attacks.
