Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban at a regional conference in the nation's capital, Kabul.

Ghani said the Taliban could become a political party and contest elections but, in return, it had to officially recognize the government and the constitution. Civilian casualties have soared in recent months as the militant group responded to US President Donald Trump's new foreign policies. However, on Monday, it said it was prepared to enter direct talks with the US to find a "peaceful solution" to the conflict, whilst making no mention of any negotiations with the Afghan government.