KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban have again rejected an Afghan offer for peace talks with the government in Kabul.

Friday’s statement by the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the insurgents “are not interested in talks while foreign soldiers are still on Afghan soil.”

Taliban reject US commander’s statement on peace talks
Taliban reject US commander’s statement on peace talks

The Taliban say they “categorically reject” a statement made this week by the U.S. commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan about “off stage” contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents.

By: The Associated Press

Mujahid referred to last month’s statement by the Afghan High Peace Council, a government body tasked with negotiating an end to the nearly 17-year war with the insurgents, which had called on the Taliban to join the peace process.

Mujahid also repeated long-standing Taliban claims that Afghan government officials are “puppets.”

Taliban leaders have at times expressed interest in holding peace talks but they have refused to meet with the U.S.-backed government, saying they will only negotiate with the United States directly about the withdrawal of all foreign forces.