Hizb-e-Islami demands interim government in Afghanistan

Islamabad, Feb 11, IRNA -- The Central Council of Hizb-e-Islami of Afghanistan, at its meeting in Peshawar city of Pakistan on Sunday, demanded establishment of an interim government in Afghanistan. "We consider formation of a political body with the participation of sincere and key Afghan figures necessary for permanent and durable solution to the Afghan conflict," said a statement, released by the party, after the meeting. The meeting also demanded release of all prisoners by the Taliban militia and stoppage to foreign interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. The participants urged neighboring countries to adopt a realistic policy on Afghanistan and refrain from harming the interests of the war-ravaged country. About the UN sanctions on Taliban, the Hizb-e-islami said these restrictions have kept open the route for Russian interference in Afghanistan, the statement said. It said that chief of the party, Gulbadin Hekmatyar also addressed the meeting on telephone from Tehran, presenting proposals to the participants about solution of the Afghan problem. He also touched upon the organizational matters of the party and offered to resign as party leader. However, the participants did not accept and asked him to hold his office till new elections in the party.