Bundles drop from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a combat cargo drop over a drop zone in Afghanistan on Oct. 11, 2007. Sixty-two cargo bundles in all were dropped by the flight during the mission. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson, U.S. Air Force. (Released)Sources: Taliban Split With Al Qaeda, Seek Peace -- CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Taliban leaders are holding Saudi-brokered talks with the Afghan government to end the country's bloody conflict -- and are severing their ties with al Qaeda, sources close to the historic discussions have told CNN.
The militia, which has been intensifying its attacks on the U.S.-led coalition that toppled it from power in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, has been involved four days of talks hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, says the source.
The talks -- the first of their kind aimed at resolving the lengthy conflict in Afghanistan -- mark a significant move by the Saudi leadership to take a direct role in Afghanistan, hosting delegates who have until recently been their enemies.
They also mark a sidestepping of key "war on terror" ally Pakistan, frequently accused of not doing enough to tackle militants sheltering on its territory, which has previously been a conduit for talks between the Saudis and Afghanistan.
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More News On Taliban/Afghan Peace Talks
Taliban, Afghan officials meet in Saudi Arabia, but deny peace talks held -- Canadian Press
Karzai in peace talk overtures to Taliban chiefs -- Financial Times
Karzai Sought Saudi Help With Taliban -- New York Times
Karzai assures safety to Mullah Omar if he returns home -- Daily Times
Taliban leader rejects call for peace talks with Afghan government -- CBC
Taliban leader rejects talks with Afghan government -- Reuters
Afghanistan rejects reports of peace talks with Taliban -- Hindustan Times