Taliban peace deal 'when, not if': Ghani

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani voiced confidence Monday on reaching a peace deal to end the Taliban insurgency -- but warned Pakistan's alleged meddling risked sparking long-term hostility.

"I feel that it is now not a question of if, but when," Ghani said of a peace agreement in a wide-ranging appearance by video at Johns Hopkins University, where he was formerly a professor.

"All wars have to end politically. There are very few wars, particularly the wars of the 21st century, that are going to end militarily," he said.

Ghani said he was offering unconditional talks and pointed to an unprecedented ceasefire with the Taliban in June as a hopeful sign.

He also voiced disappointment over Pakistan, which was the chief supporter of the former Taliban regime. US and Afghan officials say Pakistan still allows Taliban extremists to operate from its soil.