Afghanistan:Taliban discusses govt formation with ex-prez Karzai

In Afghanistan, efforts are on to form the new government and a first step in this direction started when a Taliban commander and senior leader of the Haqqani Network militant group, Anas Haqqani, met for talks with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a Taliban official told Reuters on Wednesday. Karzai was accompanied by Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council. The former Afghan President and chief peace envoy have been negotiating with senior leaders of the Taliban since the fall of Kabul. Talks are being held in the Afghan capital to expand the scope of the future Afghan government by including non-Taliban members.

Meanwhile, the Haqqani Network constitutes an important faction of the Taliban which rose to prominence after capturing capital Kabul on August 15. The network is primarily based on the border with Pakistan, and has been accused of some of the deadliest militant attacks in Afghanistan over the years. It is expected that news regarding formation of the new government is expected within a day or two. Afghanistan is currently without a government after president Ashraf Ghani fled the country on August 15 leading to the Taliban taking over Kabul. Former vice-president Amrullah Saleh said, "As per the constitution of Afghanistan in absence, escape, resignation or death of the President, the FVP becomes the caretaker President. I am currently inside my country and am the legitimate caretaker President. Am reaching out to all leaders to secure their support and consensus." Saleh was among the few Afghan leaders who showed resistance against the Taliban's taking over the country and said he would ot bow before Taliban under any circumstances.