The United Nations (UN) special envoy to Afghanistan has met with a delegation from a Taliban-linked militant group that has extended a peace offer to the Afghan government.
A UN statement, issued today, says Staffan de Mistura listened to the Hizb-i-Islami delegation's peace proposal and indicated the delegation's discussions with the government underscore the importance of an Afghan-led dialogue toward stabilising the nation.
It is the first time that high-ranking representatives of warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's group have traveled to Kabul to discuss peace. It's uncertain whether the talks will lead to peace in the 8-year-old war.
The group is demanding that foreign troops leave Afghanistan a year ahead of President Barack Obama's plan to begin a withdrawal in July 2011.
AP
