All parties in Afghanistan need to sit down together to chart the country's political future, UPI quoted British Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying. Hague filed a report with the British government on progress in the international mission in Afghanistan. He said the British government remains steadfast in its support for an Afghan-led reconciliation process. Elections in Afghanistan next year coincide with the scheduled withdrawal of international combat units supporting a NATO-led mission. NATO foreign ministers discussed Afghan transition this week at a conference in Brussels. U.N. special envoy to Afghanistan Jan Kubis said Afghan forces would take the lead in securing the country this year. "Their ability to provide security and protect the population will be crucial for convincing the people of their safe future in a stable Afghanistan, essential for the success of the ongoing political and economic transitions," he said. Hague said reconciliation should include members of the Taliban, who have considered setting up a formal political liaison office in Qatar. "Uncertainty and lack of confidence in the future is a key problem and challenge," he said.
