Taliban refuse peace talks offer

The Taliban will “never” negotiate with Afghan authorities until US and Nato forces leave the country, a spokesman for the group said today, again rebuffing an overture for peace talks from President Hamid Karzai.

Karzai said yesterday he would be willing to meet personally with Taliban leader Mullah Omar and give militants a position in government in exchange for peace.

But Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi repeated a position he announced earlier this month, saying there would be no negotiations until US and NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

“The Taliban will never negotiate with the Afghan government in the presence of foreign forces,” Ahmadi saidress.

“Even if Karzai gives up his presidency, it’s not possible that Mullah Omar would agree to negotiations. The foreign forces don’t have the authority to talk about Afghanistan.”