Cameron calls on joint effort against Taliban
KABUL - The Associated Press
Taliban was the main subject of the talks bettween Pakistani PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf (L), Afghan President Karzai (C) and British PM Cameron. AFP photo
British Prime Minister David Cameron warned the Taliban yesterday that the international community would continue to support the Afghan government after NATO troops pull out in 2014.Cross-border fighting and stalled negotiations with the Taliban was the main topics of discussion at a three-way meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Cameron.
The Kabul meeting marked the end of Cameron’s two-day visit to Afghanistan, intended to guide decisions on how fast Britain will withdraw its 9,500 troops before international forces leave by the end of 2014. Taliban fighters should “be in no doubt that there is a very clear and strong plan to transfer lead security responsibility from very capable (NATO-led) ISAF forces, including British forces, to very capable Afghan forces,” he said. Cameron also called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to make common cause against insurgents in the two countries’ border zone.
Karzai stressed the need for a political solution to end a war that has lasted more than 10 years, and said talks should include the Taliban and other insurgent groups. He added that the talks should be led by Afghanistan, facilitated by Pakistan and supported by Britain.
