KABUL, Nov 18 (Agencies): Taleban militants in Afghanistan have rejected an offer of peace talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. They have said that there can be no negotiations until foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
A spokesman for the Taleban, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi said that there was no question of accepting President Karzai's offer.
"The real power in Afghanistan does not rest with Karzai but with others so there's no point talking to him," Mr Ahmadi said.
He said a senior commander, Mullah Brother, who is a close aide of Taleban leader Mullah Omar, had decided that they would not take part in peace talks with the government until all foreign forces left Afghanistan.
There has also been a sceptical reaction from the US over the possibility of negotiations.
On Sunday President Karzai offered to provide security for the Taleban's reclusive leader, Mullah Omar, if he agrees to peace talks.
Mr Karzai made the offer despite the multi-million dollar bounty offered for the militant leader's capture by the United States.
He said that if the US and other Western countries disagreed, they could either leave the country or remove him.
The Afghan president has long advocated moves to reach out to the Taleban or at least moderate elements within the group, as part of an eventual political settlement.
It is also an approach that is being voiced by others, including some in the West.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says that the president's offer of safe passage to Mullah Omar - who eluded capture in 2001 - has nevertheless startled many because he continues to be one of the most wanted men in the US.
Taleban reject Karzai peace plan
FE Team | Published: November 19, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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