Prospects for U.S.-Taliban talks rise after Afghan ceasefire

People celebrate ceasefire in Rodat district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Parwiz

KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Prospects have risen for negotiations between the Taliban and the United States after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called a ceasefire and allowed militants to roam into cities in a gamble to encourage peace talks.

The Taliban, ousted from power in 2001 by U.S.-led troops, insist that any negotiations with what it calls the "puppet" Afghan government on a peace plan can begin only after talks with the United States about withdrawing foreign forces.