Afghan, Pakistan leaders in Turkey for security talks

Leaders from Turkey and Pakistan have given support to Afghanistan's plan of reconciliation with Taliban fighters.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, met in Istanbul on Monday. They discussed regional cooperation and the situation in Afghanistan. The summit came after Karzai unveiled a program last week to provide funds and jobs for some Taliban militants, who are willing to re-enter mainstream society. Karzai said the US, Europe and Afghanistan's neighboring countries, all back his plan.

Hamid Karzai, Afghan President, said, "Now we have from the very beginning been saying that those Taliban who are not part of al-Qaida or other terrorist networks are welcome to come back to their country, lay down arms and resume life under the constitution of Afghanistan, as the citizens of Afghanistan enjoy the privileges and the rights and the guarantees given by the Afghan constitution."