Afghan Taliban meets US officials

Europe News.Net
Tuesday 24th November, 2009

The United States is in secret talks with the Afghan Taliban, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Britain playing the role of mediators.

The Daily Times has reported that Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Omar has appointed his shadow foreign minister, Agha Muhtisam, to hold negotiations with the US.

Reports indicate that Harkatul Mujahideen chief Fazalur Rehman Khalil has also been invited to take part in the negotiations, along with Abdullah Ans, who is considered as Al-Qaeda chief Osama-bin Laden’s mentor.

The crucial meeting between the Taliban leaders and US officials will supposedly take place in Afghanistan sometime after Eid-ul-Azha, the Feast of Sacrifice, after November 30th.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has confirmed that the Obama administration is in contact with the Taliban, but not in direct terms.

He said Washington would continue to support the Afghan government but added: "The US is not in direct contact with the Afghan Taliban."

The Obama administration has been trying hard to end the eight-year long Afghan war, after failing to defeat the Taliban.

Have your say on this story