Afghan President says country is ready for war as U.S. troops withdraw

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Monday his country was ready for war with the Taliban with the withdrawal of U.S. troops underway.

Ghani said the Taliban must accept a political system based on elections, although other aspects were “discussable, negotiable.”

Ghani also said the issue of power may have to “be decided on the field of battle” if the Taliban gains power and imposes a dictatorial regime.

His comments came as heavy fighting between Afghan security forces and Taliban insurgents resumed on Monday after a three-day ceasefire announced by both sides for the Muslim holiday of Eid, officials said.

Taliban Islamists have staged a months-long campaign to expand their influence across the country as the United States began withdrawing troops from May 1 and closed some bases in keeping with a peace deal it signed with the Taliban last year.

Afghan officials say the Taliban have stepped up attacks since Washington announced plans to pull out all U.S. troops by Sept. 11.