Taliban urged to severe ties with Al Qaeda

Pakistan and Afghanistan have called on the Taliban to sever all links with Al Qaeda.
In a joint statement late Wednesday, Pakistan and the visiting Afghan High Peace Council also appealed to the Taliban to participate in the reconciliation process.

Council's chairman Salahuddin Rabbani met with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani during his three-day visit.

"In support of peace and reconciliation process and in response to the requests of the council, a number of Taliban detainees are being released," the statement said.

Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US will facilitate safe passage to potential negotiators to advance the reconciliation process, Xinhua quoted it as saying.

Pakistan and the Afghan High Peace Council agreed to have more frequent contacts to enhance peace and stability in Afghanistan. The visitors concluded their tour Wednesday.