LOC17:27
14:27 GMT
KABUL, Nov 25 (KUNA) -- Tribal leaders from seven provinces in the eastern
and southeastern zone of Afghanistan on Sunday gathered to discuss how to
bring peace and stability to their country.
Governors, members of the lower and upper houses of the Afghan parliament,
members of the provincial assemblies, elders, influential and senior
government officials met on Sunday in Nangarhar province to discuss solution
to the peace and security problem in their areas.
The elders and officials, who assembled during the meeting, which will be
concluded on Monday, included representatives from Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar,
Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika and Khost provinces.
All those areas are considered to be the hotbeds of insurgency after the
southern zone, which is the stronghold of Taliban militants and comprising
provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Uruzgan and Ghazni.
In their first day of deliberations, the elders observed that they should
focus on bringing peace to their areas through peaceful means. Most of the
participants were in favour of talks with the opponents of the government, the
term Afghans used for Taliban, instead of use of force.
Some members of the assembly also called for a stoppage of the civilian
killings in military operations. According to spokesman for Nangarhar governor
Noor Agha Zwak, the participants of the meeting would issue a joint
declaration on Monday.
The elders have gathered at a time when Afghan officials claimed killing 60
Taliban in one of the province in the southeastern zone the same day. (ends)
gk.bz.
KUNA 251727 Nov 07NNNN