In message for Muslim holiday, Afghan president says negotiations with Taliban are way forward

Afghan men leave after Eid Al-Fitr prayers in Eid Gah mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, July 17, 2015. Eid al-Fitr prayer marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.(AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

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Afghan men and police soldiers attend Eid al-Fitr prayers in Eid Gah mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, July 17, 2015. Eid al-Fitr prayer marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.(AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

Afghan men attend Eid al-Fitr prayers in Eid Gah mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, July 17, 2015. Eid al-Fitr prayer marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.(AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan president says that negotiations with the Taliban are the way to "end the bloodshed" and bring peace to the country.

Ashraf Ghani spoke at the presidential palace in Kabul after Friday prayers on the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan.

It was his first Eid message to the nation since becoming president last year. Ghani has made peace talks with the Taliban a priority for his administration.

Ghani also thanked Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive Afghan Taliban leader, for his statement this week backing the peace talks.

Ghani says it' important the Taliban "want to join the political process."

Earlier this month, neighboring Pakistan hosted the first face-to-face Kabul-Taliban talks, supervised by U.S. and Chinese representatives.