Karzai invites Taliban leaders for direct talks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday invited the Taliban leadership to direct talks with his government, while urging Pakistan to facilitate negotiation efforts towards ending 10 years of war. "In order to realise the objectives of the peace process, I invite the leadership of the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government," Karzai said in a statement issued by his office. "While emphasising the importance of Pakistan's support for the peace process, I hereby request our brotherly government of Pakistan to support and facilitate our direct negotiation efforts as part of the peace process." The statement came after Karzai spoke by telephone to US President Barack Obama about Afghan-led reconciliation moves and a visit last week to Pakistan, where he said it was time to take action for peace. The Afghan leader, whose relations with Islamabad are frequently troubled by mutual accusations of responsibility for Taliban violence plaguing both countries, said Pakistan's support was "crucial" to successful peace efforts.