Alliance, king agree to UN talks in Germany

The Northern Alliance has agreed to attend the UN talks on the future of Afghanistan scheduled to start in Germany next Monday…

The Northern Alliance has agreed to attend the UN talks on the future of Afghanistan scheduled to start in Germany next Monday.

Mr Adbullah Abdullah
Photo: Reuters

UN special envoy to Afghanistan Mr Francesc Vendrell confirmed the news today.

The talks will begin in Berlin on Monday. The United Nations, eager to rebuild Afghanistan, plans the talks as the first of a five-step process.

"We have already told Mr Vendrell about our decision to attend the meeting in Germany as soon as possible. We are making preparations for sending our delegation," Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Abdullah said.

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The former king of Afghanistan, seen as a key player in the future of his country, also said he was willing to send a delegation to the talks in Germany.

The former king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, has been living in exile in Italy since 1973. He has called for the creation of a broad-based government of national unity in Kabul.