KABUL, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on Taliban leadership to join direct peace talks with his government, said a statement posted in Karzai's website on Wednesday.
"While peace remains the most critical need and desire of the Afghan people, the government of Afghanistan will continue to pursue efforts for peace and reconciliation as a matter of highest priority," the president said in the statement.
"Meanwhile, in order to realize the objectives of the peace process, I invite the leadership of the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government," said the president.
While led and owned by the Afghan people, success of the peace process also requires the sincere support of the international community, he added.
"To this end, I, on behalf of the government and people of Afghanistan, express deep appreciation to the government of the brotherly nation of Pakistan for their support for the process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and, while emphasizing 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," Karzai said.
"Pakistan's support to the peace process will be crucial to its success, as well as a significant contribution to the security and stability of Afghanistan and the entire region," he said.
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