China, Iran & KSA welcome ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

UN Secretary-General welcomes announcement of temporary ceasefire between Pakistan, Afghanistan

TEHRAN/ BEIJING/ RIYADH:

Pakistan's immediate neighbours – China and Iran – and defence ally Saudi Arabia on Thursday welcomed a ceasefire along the frontier between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the two neighbours witnessed a fresh round of deadly cross-border clashes that threatened to escalate into a wider conflict.

Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Lin Jian said that China has noted the decision by Pakistan and Afghanistan to implement a temporary ceasefire and seek solutions through constructive dialogue.

This serves the common interests of both sides and is conducive to regional peace and stability. China welcomes and supports this move, he said during his regular briefing in response to a question about Pakistan's foreign ministry statement stating that, at the request of Afghan Taliban government, both sides had agreed to implement a 48-hours temporary ceasefire.

Iran also welcomed the ceasefire between its eastern neighbours, urging dialogue and diplomacy after days of deadly clashes.

In a statement, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei expressed concern over civilian casualties and called for stronger regional cooperation to combat terrorism, while reaffirming Tehran's readiness "to assist in any effort to maintain calm and reduce tensions between the two neighbouring Muslim countries".

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and held a discussion regarding the matter.

According to a statement from the Foreign Office (FO), "Prince Faisal appreciated Pakistan's commitment to peace and security in the region and emphasised the importance of collective efforts for stability."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and called for the parties to agree to a durable end to the fighting.