President Ashraf Ghani, who addressed a ceremony on the appointment of the new head of the National Directorate of Security, said that the Afghan government is ready to continue peace negotiations, but they are not possible without a ceasefire.

“Our way is clear. We have chosen sustainable and dignified peace and we will not go back,” Mr. Ghani said. “Negotiations [with the Taliban] are impossible without a ceasefire.”

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said that Afghanistan is still in a sensitive situation and that the opportunity for peace was lost, hinting at US President Donald Trump’s move to call off negotiations with the Taliban.

Mr. Abdullah called on the nation to remain united.