The Afghan Taliban called on its fighters to abide by its decision to engage in the armistice week with the United States and Afghan forces, in preparation for a final peace agreement in the country.

The movement said - in an internal circular obtained by Al-Jazeera - that the leadership agreed to sign a peace agreement with Washington, and that the fighters should obey it in that.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said that after the signing of the agreement with Washington no one would be allowed to use the land of Afghanistan against others.

The spokesman thanked Qatar and other countries that helped in reaching the agreement that will be signed in Doha in the presence of representatives from the neighborhood of Afghanistan and international organizations.

He added that - according to the agreement with the United States - all foreign forces would withdraw from Afghanistan and what he described as the occupation would end.

And US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said - in a statement on Friday - that an agreement with the Taliban is expected on February 29, as confirmed by the Afghan movement.

The statement added that the two parties are holding talks to reach a political settlement to end the conflict in Afghanistan and reduce the American presence in the region.

For his part, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that the week of armistice between Washington and the Taliban and government forces will begin at midnight at 12 local time.

In a televised speech, Ghani added that he asked the movement to start direct negotiations without preconditions, and that the armistice week will not include the state and al-Qaeda organizations, stressing that his forces will continue to confront them.

In turn, the Minister of the Interior said that his forces will stop their military operations at midnight tonight, and they will be on alert throughout the country.

Commenting on the announcement of the signing of the Washington and Taliban agreement in the Qatari capital, Doha, Ghani said that it represents an opportunity for lasting peace in the country.

The parties to the agreement were about to announce it in September 2019 when President Donald Trump suddenly announced a halt to the negotiating process, accusing the Taliban of continuing the violence.

For its part, the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the announcement of the armistice, and said it was an opportunity that could lead to a lasting peace in the country.

In a statement, she expressed her commitment to working with all parties to support a comprehensive peace process led by Afghans themselves, including women, youth and minorities.

The UN mission urged all parties to find additional ways to reduce levels of violence, especially that which affect civilians.