LOC15:10
12:10 GMT
KABUL, June 27 (KUNA) -- Inviting the Taliban and other opposition groups
to participate in the country's second presidential polls, President Hamid
Karzai Saturday said violence was not solution to problems.
Taliban should vote instead of talking of attacking the elections, Karzai
told a news conference at his Presidential Palace. The incumbent president is
one of the 41 candidates for the presidential elections scheduled to be held
on August 20.
Taliban and other groups, holding arms so far, as well as other eligible
Afghan voters should register themselves and participate in the landmark
presidential elections.
He said if Taliban wanted to serve the nation, it was the best way to stop
violence and participate in the electoral process to rebuild the country.
"I appeal them to shun violence for ever," said the Afghan leader who is
the favourite among the candidates as he stands for the second term in office
of the president of Afghanistan.
In recent months, there is visible increase in Taliban violence in the
southern and southeastern zones while both military and non-military officials
are worried about the spread of Taliban into the comparatively peaceful
northern and western zones of the country.
It is because of this spiraling violence that many observers believe the
militants could disrupt the upcoming presidential elections by staging attacks
in cities, including the central capital Kabul. (end)
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KUNA 271510 Jun 09NNNN