NATO's new Secretary-General says holding peace talks with "certain groups" in Afghanistan is an option to end the escalating violence in the war-torn country, reported PressTV.
During his first visit to Afghanistan after taking office as the head of the 28-nation alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters on Wednesday that "pragmatic steps" were planned to be taken to restore security in the country.
Rasmussen, who was talking at a joint press conference with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai, declared that if the establishment of security required "talks with a number of groups within the Afghan society, I'm ready to do that."
His remarks signaled his willingness to follow in the footsteps of some Western powers including Britain to open a dialogue with the Taliban.
"I think it is a prerequisite that the Afghan government can conduct the talks and negotiations from a position of strength. There is no alternative whatsoever to continued and strengthened military efforts," he added.
Rasmussen called on groups that will join the peace talks to lay down their arms and abide by laws.
The news comes as the Pentagon announced a delay in the release of a report on the Afghan war by the Commander of International Forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
The Pentagon has made it clear that the report would not include a formal request for more troops in the country.
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