KABUL — The Afghan government still hopes to hold peace talks with the Taliban despite a recent statement from the insurgents saying they refuse to take part in the process, an official said Monday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai called the Taliban’s rejection a ‘‘tactical’’ move and said Kabul would continue its efforts.

‘‘We are very much hopeful to reach a result in the peace process,’’ said Karzai during a joint press conference with British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in Kabul. He added that the Afghan government had already formed a delegation for future talks.

The Taliban issued a statement on Saturday saying they would not participate in a peace process with the government until foreign forces stop attacking their positions and leave the country. It said that they ‘‘reject’’ peace talks and that reports of their participation were ‘‘rumors.’’

Face-to-face talks had been expected to take place in Pakistan in early March.

Associated Press