Saudi visit a push to seek mediation: Karzai’s brother

KANDAHAR (AFP) - A brother of President Hamid Karzai said Thursday his visit to Saudi Arabia last month was part of an Afghan push for the kingdom to convene peace talks with Taliban insurgents.

Qayoum Karzai, the elder brother of the US-backed Afghan president, confirmed that no representatives of the militia were present at the meeting although the Afghan delegation had included former Taliban leaders.

“The Saudi king ... wants to help the people of Afghanistan in bringing peace so our trip was in that connection,” Qayoum Karzai told AFP.