By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Several nations have assured Afghanistan of their support for its peace plan to end Taliban insurgency.
A statement issued Thursday by Afghanistan’s Presidential Palace said Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday met with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and discussed on Afghanistan’s peace process.
Karzai informed the Saudi king of his government’s efforts for reconciliation with the Taliban, requested the king “to guide the Afghan government on its talks with the insurgent group.”
King Abdullah assured Karzai of his support to the dialogue offer to the Taliban, according to the statement.
The Saudi Arabian authorities have reportedly put the condition that the Taliban must renounce the al-Qaida before Riyadh could mediate between the Karzai administration and the insurgent group.
Pakistan, another nation which has influence on Afghanistan, said Thursday it was ready to help the Afghan reconciliation process.
“We fully agree that reconciliation and reintegration in Afghanistan is an important element to achieve peace and stability in the country,” Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters in Islamabad.
“Pakistan is ready to help in whatever way it is asked for and can play an important role in promoting genuine reconciliation,” the spokesman added.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the only nations which recognized the Taliban regime which ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.
India, another key player in the South Asian region, voiced reserved support to Afghanistan’s peace process Thursday.
India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters that if the Taliban disassociates itself from the al-Qaida and abjure violence, it could be brought into the mainstream political process in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Indian minister stressed that the political process in Afghanistan will have to be Afghan-driven and Afghan- led.
Afghan President Karzai won international backing for his peace plan to lure Taliban militants back to normal life by offering money and jobs at the London Conference on Afghanistan on Jan. 28.
The Taliban has repeatedly rejected previous offers of talks before all foreign troops are withdrawn.