Taliban leader Omar can run for presidency: Karzai
What could possibly go wrong?
KABUL, April 2 (Xinhua) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar can run or the upcoming presidential elections.
“The Afghan constitution is valid for all Afghans and the Taliban should also benefit from it,” Karzai told the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
He made the comments days after his return from a two-day state visit to Persian Gulf state of Qatar, during which he discussed with the Qatari leaders the opening of a Taliban office to conduct negotiations.
The Taliban insurgent group, fighting Afghan and the NATO-led forces stationed in the country, had in the past rejected the government’s offers for talks, saying there will be no dialogue in the presence of foreign forces in the country.
The third presidential elections since the fall of Taliban in late 2001, is secluded for early April next year.
The Taliban was so happy with the news that they went out today and killed dozens in Afghanistan.
Taliban Attack Afghan Courthouse, Leaving 53 Dead
A provincial governor says at least 53 people, including nine attackers, have been killed in a daylong gunbattle in western Afghanistan.
Officials say the fighting broke out Wednesday after suicide bombers disguised as Afghan soldiers stormed a courthouse in Farah province in a failed bid to free more than a dozen Taliban.
Provincial Gov. Akram Akhpewak says those killed included 34 civilians, 10 security forces and nine attackers.