The Afghan Islamic Press says the Taleban has rejected a U.S. appeal for its fighters to surrender under a government offer of amnesty.
The Pakistan-based news organization quoted Taleban spokesman Latifullah Hakimi Friday as saying the group considers the US offer an attempt to divide it.
The Afghan Islamic Press also quotes Mr. Hakimi as saying the Taleban will never stop fighting as long as US troops remain in Afghanistan.
Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad urged Taleban fighters to lay down their arms under an Afghan government offer of amnesty.
Ambassador Khalilzad said U.S. forces will cooperate with the the amnesty -- which he said will not apply to those who, in his words, have committed "crimes against the Afghan people."