Afghanistan has begun releasing the last 400 prisoners in the face of Taliban demands. Sixty detainees were released on Thursday.

The 400 Taliban militants awaiting release from Afghan government prisons face serious charges, including the killing of Afghans and foreigners. Both sides are ready to resume peace talks in Doha, Qatar. A spokesman for the Afghan government's National Security Council said in a tweet that efforts to negotiate peace with the Taliban through the release of detainees would be accelerated and a ceasefire would be extended across the country.