Optimism, expectations mark first day of violence cut period in Afghanistan

Afghans on Saturday welcomed the pledge by the Taliban and US to reduce violence, despite uncertainty looming over the war-torn country.

Saturday was the first morning of a seven-day "reduced violence" period that is meant to lead to an agreement between the United States and the Taliban in Doha on Feb. 29.

If signed, the agreement and subsequent intra-Afghan talks represent a chance for peace and the potential pullout of thousands of US troops who have been in Afghanistan since US-led forces ousted the hardline Islamist Taliban from power in 2001.

Many Afghans said they were anxious about what might come next.

"As a