US commits to Afghan Taliban

artappraiser — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 02:04:23 +0000

In reply to Taliban claim responsibility for Kabul attack on presidential palace, CIA building

US commits to Afghan Taliban talks despite Kabul attack
BBC News, 25 June, 2013

The US and Afghan presidents have "reaffirmed" their support for holding talks with the Taliban, despite an attack in central Kabul on Tuesday.

Barack Obama and Hamid Karzai agreed in a video conference that a peace process was the surest way to end the violence, the White House said.

They also reiterated their backing for a Taliban office in Doha.

Three security guards and four militants died in the assault on the presidential palace and a CIA station.

The attackers used at least two vehicles similar to those used by international forces, along with fake badges and vehicle passes, which allowed them to get inside the capital's high security zone, police said.

Mr Karzai was inside the palace at the time, but the target appears to have been the nearby Ariana Hotel, which houses the CIA station. [....]

Afghanistan presidential

artappraiser — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 05:49:27 +0000

In reply to Taliban claim responsibility for Kabul attack on presidential palace, CIA building

Afghanistan presidential palace attacked in Kabul (with video)
BBC News, June 25, 2013

[....] More than half a dozen explosions were heard as they clashed with security personnel at the palace's eastern gate, the defence ministry and a CIA station. [....]

The militants initially targeted the palace's eastern gate - a few hundred metres from the actual building - where dozens of journalists had gathered for a news conference with Mr Karzai scheduled for 09:00.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary, who was among the crowd of journalists, says they were forced to run for cover as bullets flew overhead. The journalists heard several explosions, and reports said grenades were being thrown. Tolo TV reported as many as 14 blasts.

The president was inside the palace when the gate came under attack, officials said. The government has yet to comment.

Our correspondent says the area around the palace, which is patrolled regularly throughout the day by special forces and intelligence agents, is now under lockdown. [....]

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US commits to Afghan Taliban

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