VIOLENCE MARS AFGHANISTAN PEACE MEETING IN KABUL
Baku, June 2 (AZERTAC). Suspected militants have tried to attack a peace meeting of tribal elders being opened in Kabul by President Hamid Karzai.
Three rockets landed close to the venue and a suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosives nearby.
Mr Karzai is aiming to use the three-day “peace jirga” to enlist support for his plan to offer economic incentives to reformed Taliban militants.
Taliban chiefs have dismissed the talks and threatened delegates with death.
Mr Karzai`s opening speech was interrupted by the sound of explosions and gunfire some distance away.
He told the delegates: “Someone is trying with a rocket perhaps... Don`t worry about it, let`s proceed.”
Up to 1,600 delegates - including tribal elders, religious leaders and members of parliament from all over the country - have convened for the traditional meeting.
But they are far outnumbered by the 12,000 security personnel guarding against any Taliban attack.
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