Karzai Launches Afghan Peace Council

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has opened the inaugural session of a peace council that was organized to help reconcile with the Taliban and other militant groups.The first meeting of the 70-member council took place Thursday on the ninth anniversary of the start of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. It includes former Taliban officials, former presidents, and civil and religious leaders.

At the session, President Karzai called on the Taliban to use the opportunity to join in bringing peace to Afghanistan. The government has urged insurgents to renounce violence and respect the constitution. But the militant group has publicly dismissed any such reconciliation until foreign forces leave the country.

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has expressed support for the Afghan government's efforts to negotiate peace with the Taliban.