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Afghan officials ate with Taleban Afghan officials ate with Taleban
(30 minutes later)
The Afghan president's brother sat with former Taleban leaders at a religious meal hosted by the Saudi King Abdullah last month, the BBC has learnt.The Afghan president's brother sat with former Taleban leaders at a religious meal hosted by the Saudi King Abdullah last month, the BBC has learnt.
The meeting is regarded as a possible prelude to talks between the Afghan government and the Islamic movement.The meeting is regarded as a possible prelude to talks between the Afghan government and the Islamic movement.
Reports suggest negotiations took place during this meeting, although this has been strongly denied by both sides.Reports suggest negotiations took place during this meeting, although this has been strongly denied by both sides.
Recently, British and US officials said a resolution to the conflict would require negotiations with the Taleban.Recently, British and US officials said a resolution to the conflict would require negotiations with the Taleban.
'No formal talks''No formal talks'
Last month the king of Saudi Arabia played host to an extraordinary cast of political players during a religious meal.Last month the king of Saudi Arabia played host to an extraordinary cast of political players during a religious meal.
The BBC understands that Afghan President Hamid Karzai's older brother, Qayum Karzai, was in attendanc, as well as former Taleban leaders. The BBC understands that Afghan President Hamid Karzai's older brother, Qayum Karzai, was in attendance, as well as former Taleban leaders.
Also present was the former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif.Also present was the former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
In addition, men representing every political movement in Afghanistan "at some point or another" were at the meal, a former Taleban leader told the BBC.In addition, men representing every political movement in Afghanistan "at some point or another" were at the meal, a former Taleban leader told the BBC.
He added that there was an eagerness in the room to find a solution to end the violence in Afghanistan but denied that any "formal talks" had taken place.He added that there was an eagerness in the room to find a solution to end the violence in Afghanistan but denied that any "formal talks" had taken place.
For their part, both the Afghan government and the Taleban also flatly denied that there were any negotiations.For their part, both the Afghan government and the Taleban also flatly denied that there were any negotiations.
But only last week, the Afghan president revealed that he had asked the Saudi king to broker peace talks between his government and the Taleban to try and bring an end to the seven-year conflict. But only last week, the Afghan president revealed that he had asked the Saudi king to broker peace talks between his government and the Taleban to try to bring an end to the seven-year conflict.
While it was not clear what was discussed in Saudi Arabia, it raised the possibility that talks between the Afghan government and senior Taleban leaders could be close.While it was not clear what was discussed in Saudi Arabia, it raised the possibility that talks between the Afghan government and senior Taleban leaders could be close.
On Monday night, the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said a resolution to the conflict would require negotiations with the Taleban.On Monday night, the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said a resolution to the conflict would require negotiations with the Taleban.
Nato-led forces said they also supported opening talks with militants.Nato-led forces said they also supported opening talks with militants.
The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, and the British commander in Helmand province, Brigadier Carleton-Smith, made similar comments.The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, and the British commander in Helmand province, Brigadier Carleton-Smith, made similar comments.