Saudi Arabia holds Afghan, Taliban talks

MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, in a policy shift, last month played host to a meeting in Mecca between Afghan officials and the Taliban, sources told CNN.

The meeting was held in the last week of September, the report said.

In an indication he is interested in resolving the conflict in Afghanistan, the Saudi king reportedly broke fast during the Eid al-Fitr holiday with a 17-member Afghan delegation.

By a taking a direct role in Afghanistan, the report said, the meeting marked a major departure by the Saudi leadership, who in the past had gone through Pakistan in dealing with Afghanistan. The report said the policy change also indicated Saudi recognition of the political weakness of Pakistan and the need to end the resurgence of al-Qaida.

The Mecca talks included 11 Taliban delegates, two Afghan government officials, a representative of former mujahedin commander Gulbadin Hekmatyar, and three others -- but did not include the elusive Taliban leader Mullah Omar, the source was quoted as saying.

However, the report said that during the talks it emerged that Mullah Omar had made it clear he was no longer allied with al-Qaida.

The source was quoted as saying it was the first such meeting that helped all parties outline their stand openly and transparently. More such talks are expected to be held in Saudi Arabia, the report said.