KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai says Pakistani support of negotiations with the Taliban will be "crucial" to the success of any peace talks.
Karzai made the comments in a statement issued Tuesday. He also repeated an appeal for direct talks with the Taliban leadership, and for neighboring Pakistan to facilitate these meetings.
Many Afghan Taliban leaders are reportedly based across the border. Karzai has recently sought to enlist Islamabad's help in making contact with them, but has been rebuffed.
His statement comes after an acrimonious visit to Pakistan last week during which he asked the government to help bring Taliban leaders to the table. Pakistani officials called it "preposterous" to suggest that they would be able to do so.
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