Kabul (dpa) - The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that his talks with the Taliban militants have made no significant progress, the Afghan presidential palace said in a statement late on Saturday.

After concluding talks in Doha, Brussels and Islamabad, Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Saturday where he met separately with President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, discussing issues around US-Taliban talks.

The US envoy briefed the Afghan president about his recent discussions with Taliban representatives and meetings with Pakistani officials, the palace statement added.

According to Ghani’s office, Khalilzad hoped that the US-Taliban talks will reach a conclusion.

“We are waiting for a clear response from the Taliban about a ceasefire or a significant and lasting reduction in violence based on a practical mechanism which is acceptable to the people of Afghanistan and the US government,” the palace quoted Khalilzad as saying.

The US envoy has also met with Abdullah Abdullah, Ghani’s partner in the National Unity Government (NUG) and his main rival on the September presidential election, to discuss Washington’s efforts for the Afghan peace process, Abdullah’s office confirmed the meeting on Sunday.

Afghan government leaders remain split on the issue of a brief "reduction in violence" or a comprehensive ceasefire before a final agreement between the US and Taliban.

Last week, Abdullah said that no-one should set preconditions for peace talks, while Ghani continues calling for a ceasefire.

According to Abdullah’s office, Khalilzad has told Abdullah that the US is committed to the principle of reduction in violence with a specific and acceptable definition and mechanism as a precondition for signing a deal with the Taliban.