(Xinhua) -- Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday called on Taliban militants to give up resistance, return home and take part in the reconstruction process of their war-torn country. "Taliban are part of this soil and we want them to return home," he told newsmen at his Palace after attending the recently concluded NATO summit in Bucharest. Karzai, who represented Afghanistan at the summit, said that part of his speech to NATO leaders in Bucharest was on Taliban militants, adding that those Taliban fighters who have no link with al-Qaida can return home. The Afghan leader said there were no official talks between the government and Taliban at the moment, but the two sides had few contacts months ago. He also said that a number of Taliban militants had returned home and resumed their normal life due to such contacts. "We would continue our contacts for the larger interest of Afghanistan," the president emphasized.
Taliban insurgents, who in the past had rejected any talks with the Afghan government in an audio cassette sent to the media, on Sunday downplayed NATO's new commitment towards Afghanistan and vowed to continue war till last. The 26-nation military alliance at their historic summit concluded on Friday renewed its long-term commitment to support Afghan government and stabilizing security in the post-Taliban nation.
President Karzai, additionally appreciated the renewing approach of the alliance to Afghanistan calling on its people to benefit maximum advantage of world community's support in rebuilding their nation until it stands on its feet