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Thursday, January 31, 2019, 15:07
Trump upbeat about peace talks in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Thursday, January 31, 2019, 15:07 By Xinhua

In this photo released by the Afghan Presidential Palace, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, speaks to US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, third left, at the presidential palace in Kabul. (PHOTO / AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VIA AP)

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed optimism about negotiations in Afghanistan, days after a US envoy touted "significant progress" in talks with the Taliban. 

"Negotiating are proceeding well in Afghanistan after 18 years of fighting," said Trump in a tweet

"Negotiating are proceeding well in Afghanistan after 18 years of fighting," said Trump in a tweet. 

Trump's comment came days after US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad wrapped up his six-day talks with the Taliban representatives in Qatar's capital Doha and applauded on Saturday "significant progress on vital issues." 

ALSO READ: In Kabul, US reports 'agreements in principle' with Taliban

"We will soon see if talks will be successful?" Trump added in another tweet on Wednesday. 

Media reports said that the United States, in the talks with Taliban, had agreed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and the armed group would announce a cease-fire after the White House declares a timetable for pulling out its the troops. 

Analysts, however, said there are still no clear signs showing that the Taliban has agreed to US demands. 

READ MORE: Taliban say they are not looking to rule Afghanistan alone

There are about 14,000 US troops currently deployed in Afghanistan, and the Trump administration reportedly planned to bring half of them home. 

The death toll of US service members in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,400 since the United States invaded the country in 2001. 

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