<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The United States today said it is ready to support and facilitate direct peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, welcoming a Muslim Eid holiday ceasefire announced by President Ashraf Ghani. </span></div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today said this plan responds to the clear and continued call of the Afghan people for peace. </div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">He said Washington is ready to back direct negotiations between the government and the Taliban. There is no obstacles to talks and it is time for peace, Pompeo added.</div>