Karzai Seeks Saudi Mediation With Taliban

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in an effort to secure Riyadh's active role in efforts to persuade Taliban militants to join the political process in Afghanistan.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in an effort to secure Riyadh's active role in efforts to persuade Taliban militants to join the political process in Afghanistan.

After the meeting, a Saudi official said only that Karzai had made the proposal, but gave no further details of their meeting.

Last week, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said the kingdom would not get involved in peacemaking in Afghanistan unless the Taliban severs all ties with Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network.

Saudi Arabia has a unique relationship with the Taliban because it was one of the few countries to recognize its militant regime before it was ousted in 2001.

It has also in the past acted as an intermediary between Taliban and rival Afghan factions.

Copyright (c) RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Filed under geopolitics, taliban, karzai seeks saudi mediation

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