LOC21:17
18:17 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (KUNA) -- The interior minister of Afghanistan, Mohammad
Hanif Atmar, said here Tuesday that Kabul has sought help from Saudi Arabia
and other Muslim countries to mediate with Taliban to end violence in the
Muslim country.
"Saudi Arabia as the custodian of the most holy places in Islam is highly
respected in Afghanistan," he told a press conference here after holding talks
with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
Atmar said it was not the first time that Afghanistan had sought help from
a Muslim country but had done so also in the past.
"Anyone who can help is welcome," he said explaining that Taliban is an
Arabic word meaning a seeker of knowledge and hence the world should not be
associated with terrorists.
"We have opened our doors to embrace peace to all people who denounce and
renounce violence," said Atmar who is currently on a tour of Europe to seek
support for police reform in his country.
"I have come hereto seek support for our new programme for police reform.
Some of these programmes have to be accelerated before elections next year,"
he said.
The Afghan minister said that one fourth of the 1,600 illegal armed groups
operating in Afghanistan have been dismantled.
Atmar who was appointed as interior minister in October said Paris is to
host a conference later this week to promote regional cooperation between
Afghanistan and its neighbours to establish peace and security.
He thanked the EU for launching a police mission in Afghanistan in 2007 to
support the Afghans in taking responsibility for law and order. (end)
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