Karzai Convenes Afghan Elders to Debate U.S. Ties, Taliban Talks
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai will today convene a meeting of more than 2,000 of the country’s leaders and elders as he attempts to garner support for an extended security agreement with the U.S.
The traditional loya jirga gathering brings together provincial and ethnic representatives who will also consider peace talks with the Taliban following the September assassination of envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani. Insurgents threatened to attack the council and Karzai’s chief rival, Abdullah Abdullah, vowed to boycott it.