Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Thursday that Afghans will never allow their country to be turned into a battlefield by foreign networks.

Addressing an event marking National Flag Day at the Presidential Palace, Ghani said: “We will not give in to devastating plans that foreigners and networks have for Afghanistan to turn the country into a battlefield.”

Ghani also said that scholars from the Islamic world, especially at their recent meeting in Saudi Arabia, which was also attended by Pakistani scholars, emphasized that the war in Afghanistan had no Islamic legitimacy.

Calling on the Taliban, Ghani asked: “Are you committed to the national interests of Afghanistan, or to the networks? Do you want to sow discord and destroy national settlements and foundations?”

“Our voice is the voice of peace, and all Afghans agree on peace, a dignified and lasting peace in which the future of all is safe,” the president said.

Ghani also said that government has clear intentions, plans and strategies for change. Our intention is to maintain values, bring lasting peace and establish order within the country, he said.

“The action plan is ready and you will see the changes soon,” he added.

Ghani stated that Afghanistan’s flag is a sign of the country’s pride and unity, and the proud security and defense forces make sacrifices every day to preserve and keep the country afloat.

He also reiterated that war is not the solution to the country’s crisis and in a message to the Taliban he said “you will not surrender by force, we will not surrender either, so the solution is to come together.”

He warned that if the Taliban believes in judging by the sword, Afghan security forces are ready to respond by force.

According to him, if Afghanistan becomes unstable, the region will also become unstable.

The ceremony was also attended by First Lady Rula Ghani, the Second Vice President Sarwar Danish, the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah and their high-ranking officials including Meshrano Jirga members, MPs and presidential advisors.