An international meeting has agreed to step up efforts for settling Afghan war by using civilian, military and diplomatic channels, US State
Department said.
The meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan was hosted by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and attended by the representatives of 49 countries and international organisations.
"There was widespread consensus in support of three mutually reinforcing tracks -– military offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban insurgents, the civilian campaign to build Afghan capacity in support of the transition, an
intensified diplomatic engagement in support of Afghan -- led reintegration and reconciliation efforts," State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters. US delegation was led by the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mark Grossman.
"The meeting’s agenda focused on the political process towards a durable resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan, including the Afghan-led reconciliation and reintegration efforts and robust diplomatic support for the region, and the
civilian aspects of the transition to lead security
responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces," he said.