Obama sees hope for 'progress' in talks with Taliban

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]





WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama said Wednesday he believed progress could be made in talks with the Taliban to help find a political solution to the 10-year war in Afghanistan.

"We do know that peace cannot come to a land that has known so much war without a political settlement. So as we strengthen the Afghan government and security forces, America will join initiatives that reconcile the Afghan people, including the Taliban," Obama said.

"Our position on these talks is clear: they must be led by the Afghan government, and those who want to be a part of a peaceful Afghanistan must break from Al-Qaeda, abandon violence, and abide by the Afghan constitution.

"But, in part because of our military effort, we have reason to believe that progress can be made," he said.(AFP)