Afghan peace meeting marred by gunfight, explosions - washingtonpost

KABUL -- A gunfight and a handful of explosions marred the start of a large reconciliation meeting of Afghan officials Wednesday morning. The first blast, from an apparent rocket, occurred as President Hamid Karzai gave the introductory speech at the meeting, called a peace jirga.

Shortly after Karzai finished speaking, a gunfight broke out nearby as security forces battled suspected suicide bombers near the tent where the session was being held. Minutes later, a rocket or mortar landed near the tent where roughly 1,500 delegates were assembled. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

After Karzai finished speaking, diplomats and other foreigners were whisked away in a long convoy of SUVs.

The meeting, organized by Karzai's government, is an attempt to lay the groundwork for reconciliation negotiations with the Taliban.

The president offered an olive branch to Taliban fighters. "They are not the enemy," he said. "They are the sons of this land."... - Afghan peace meeting marred by gunfight, explosions

With conference, Karzai tries the politics of peace

Rockets, Gunfire Rock Start of Afghan Peace Conference - VOA