KABUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai called Thursday on Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar to give up fighting his US-backed government in return for the chance to run for president of the war-torn nation. Mullah Omar, the one-eyed Taliban leader who has been on run since the United States toppled his regime in late 2001, is one of the world's most wanted men and is leading a Taliban insurgency aimed at ousting Karzai. Karzai has repeatedly called on Omar and other insurgents fighting against his administration to renounce violence and accept peaceful reintegration. “I repeat my call on all Afghans, those who aren't the puppets of others and have (only) issues with us at home – they're welcome for any talks,” he told a news conference. “Mullah Mohammad Omar can come inside Afghanistan anywhere he wants to. He can open political office for himself but he should leave the gun. “He along with his friends can come and create his political party, do politics, become a candidate himself for the elections. If people voted for him, good for him, he can take the leadership in his hand,” Karzai said. The Taliban have repeatedly turned down Karzai's peace offers and earlier this year withdrew from exploratory talks with the United States in Qatar. Massacre hearing in September The US Army has scheduled a preliminary court hearing in September for the soldier charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians in rampage in March. US Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is to have an Article 32 hearing Sept. 17, Army Lt. Col. Gary Dangerfield said late Wednesday. Dangerfield said he did not know where the hearing would be held. Bales is accused of walking off his base under cover of darkness and opening fire on civilians in their homes in at least two villages.— Reuters
