Top NATO commander in Afghanistan says Taliban have reached out to Afghan government

The top commander in Afghanistan says Taliban leaders have reached out to the Afghan government seeking reconciliation.

Gen. David Petraeus told reporters Monday that very high-level Taliban leaders have reached out to the highest levels of the government.

President Hamid Karzai has long said that he will talk to insurgents if they renounce violence, sever ties to terrorists and embrace the constitution.

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The Taliban have publicly said they won’t negotiate until foreign troops leave Afghanistan.

Petraeus said prospects for reconciling with Taliban leaders are being “pursued by the Afghan leadership at the very highest levels.”

Presidential spokesman Waheed Omar says Karzai is waiting for a planned peace council to start any formal talks.