ISTANBUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and Europe back his plan to invite some Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate them into Afghan society.
Karzai spoke Monday in Istanbul, three days ahead of a London conference on Afghanistan that is expected to focus on his government's efforts to persuade Taliban militants to give up their fight. He says the offer would apply only to those Taliban who are not part of Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups.
Karzai was in Turkey for a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Pakistan has also struggled with Islamic militancy and has had tense relations with Afghanistan over their porous border. Militants have used Pakistani territory to launch attacks in Afghanistan.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox