Afghan president appoints council to decide peace deal with Taliban

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has established a 46-person council that will bear responsibility for making the final decision about inking a peace agreement with the Taliban.

The council, which is distinct from a 21-person group tasked with negotiating with the Taliban, "will have the final say and will ultimately decide on the points that the negotiating team takes up with the Taliban," according to the Associated Press.

Ghani's former presidential opponent Abdullah Abdullah is helming the council as part of a deal struck following contention over the results of the election.

The High Council for National Reconciliation council includes nine female members.