Saudis Host Afghanistan-Taliban Talks
Media Line News Agency
October 29, 2008
Saudi Arabia has confirmed it hosted talks between Afghan officials and members of the Taliban last month in Mecca. Talks took place after an iftar, the meal which marks the end of a fast day during the month of Ramadan.
Talks took place at the request of Afghan President Hamid Karazai and also included Pakistani officials such as former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who leads the largest opposition bloc in the Pakistani parliament. Saudi Foreign Minister Sa´oud Al-Fei´sal confirmed the talks on Tuesday and said the reason Saudi Arabia was taking a leading role in the matter was because Riyadh was concerned about peace and security in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key mediator in several conflicts in the Middle East. Al-Fei´sal said any progress would require both sides to lay down their weapons and embrace a political process.
He made the comments after a meeting with visiting European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana. Talks between the two officials covered the security situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Taliban admits it shared a meal with Afghan officials, but maintains there were no peace talks.
The statements coincide with a fresh wave of violence between the warring sides in Afghanistan.
Five Afghani children, two German soldiers and a British aid worker were killed in clashes in Afghanistan this week. In addition, an aerial strike by the United States-led coalition hit an Afghan military checkpoint on Wednesday, killing nine Afghan soldiers, Afghan officials said.The incident is believed to be a case of friendly fire.
Around 35 Taliban fighters and three Afghan policemen were killed this week in battles in the south of the country, which ended on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is putting 991 Al-Qa´ida terror suspects on trial. The suspects were arrested in connection with more than 30 terror attacks that have taken place in the kingdom over the past five years. A panel of appointed judges will soon start reviewing individual cases against the detainees and hearings are expected to begin soon.
Talks took place at the request of Afghan President Hamid Karazai and also included Pakistani officials such as former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who leads the largest opposition bloc in the Pakistani parliament. Saudi Foreign Minister Sa´oud Al-Fei´sal confirmed the talks on Tuesday and said the reason Saudi Arabia was taking a leading role in the matter was because Riyadh was concerned about peace and security in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key mediator in several conflicts in the Middle East. Al-Fei´sal said any progress would require both sides to lay down their weapons and embrace a political process.
He made the comments after a meeting with visiting European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana. Talks between the two officials covered the security situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Taliban admits it shared a meal with Afghan officials, but maintains there were no peace talks.
The statements coincide with a fresh wave of violence between the warring sides in Afghanistan.
Five Afghani children, two German soldiers and a British aid worker were killed in clashes in Afghanistan this week. In addition, an aerial strike by the United States-led coalition hit an Afghan military checkpoint on Wednesday, killing nine Afghan soldiers, Afghan officials said.The incident is believed to be a case of friendly fire.
Around 35 Taliban fighters and three Afghan policemen were killed this week in battles in the south of the country, which ended on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is putting 991 Al-Qa´ida terror suspects on trial. The suspects were arrested in connection with more than 30 terror attacks that have taken place in the kingdom over the past five years. A panel of appointed judges will soon start reviewing individual cases against the detainees and hearings are expected to begin soon.
Print
Email
