Via CNN-

 

Taliban leaders are holding Saudi-brokered talks with the Afghan government to end the country's bloody conflict -- and are severing their ties with al Qaeda, sources close to the historic discussions have told CNN.

 

The militia, which has been intensifying its attacks on the U.S.-led coalition that toppled it from power in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, has been involved in four days of talks hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, says the source.

 

The talks -- the first of their kind aimed at resolving the lengthy conflict in Afghanistan -- mark a significant move by the Saudi leadership to take a direct role in Afghanistan, hosting delegates who have until recently been their enemies.

 

They also mark a sidestepping of key "war on terror" ally Pakistan, frequently accused of not doing enough to tackle militants sheltering on its territory, which has previously been a conduit for talks between the Saudis and Afghanistan.

 

According to the source, fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar -- high on the U.S. military's most-wanted list -- was not present, but his representatives were keen to stress the reclusive cleric is no longer allied to al Qaeda.

 

Details of the Taliban leader's split with al Qaeda have never been made public before, but the new claims confirm what another source with an intimate knowledge of the militia and Mullah Omar has told CNN in the past.

Don't know yet. Reminds me of when the Latin Kings tried to act like they were all about helping out their fellow Kings, while they were killing people.

Where do they hold these "peace meetings"? Maybe we should find out and interrupt the party, Hans Gruber style.

Interesting. I wonder if they finally realized the way to get rid of Americans in their country was to stop the fighting?

Interesting. I wonder if they finally realized the way to get rid of Americans in their country was to stop the fighting?

for the time being.

 

and they know the next president of the usa probably won't re-invade. kinda smart on their part.

for the time being.

 

and they know the next president of the usa probably won't re-invade. kinda smart on their part.

 

The next President could send a lot more troops if the situation continues to deteroirate.