KABUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government signed a peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami, a militant group led by Gulbudin Hekmatyar on Thursday, in an effort to boost peace and national reconciliation in the militancy-hit country.
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani signed the much awaited deal at a ceremony attended by ranking officials and supporters of Hizb-e-Islami held in Arg, the country's Presidential Palace on Thursday morning.
"Afghanistan is home for all Afghans. I praise all Afghans, who never lose hope for peace, and I thank them for standing with their government for bringing durable peace in their country," Ghani told the event.
Hekmatyar signed the agreement, which was brokered by Afghan High Peace Council after some two years of negotiations, via a video conference broadcasting during the event.
The Afghan president told the audience that the peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami was based on the country's constitution and the two sides were committed to working for peace, stability and reconstruction of the country.
"The peace negotiations are based on the grounds that the achievements of the past 15 years will be protected. The achievements that gained with a lot of sacrifices and sufferings," he said.
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