Saudi-based Islamic organization calls for Afghan ceasefire

A summit of religious scholars organized by the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called for a new ceasefire in Afghanistan, a request already dismissed out of hand by the Taliban.

The summit held by the 57-nation organization ended Wednesday. Participants issued a communique asking all sides in the conflict to put down their arms and begin “direct Afghan negotiations” to end the country’s nearly 17-year war.

The government of President Ashraf Ghani had welcomed the conference, which came after a ceasefire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The Taliban accepted a three-day truce, but rejected Ghani’s offer to extend it.