Foreigners must leave if peace is to exist in Afghanistan: Hekmatyar

Kabul, June 10 (ANI): Veteran Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who heads the only one of three main insurgent groups that is holding direct negotiations with the government, has said that the presence of foreign troops on Afghan soil is the primary factor behind the fighting showing no signs of abating.

In an interview to the Christian Science Monitor from some where in Pakistan, where is reported to be hiding, Hekmatyar said that he has presented a 15-point proposal to the Karzai Government, which he believes can restore peace and normalcy to the war ravaged country.

He says there has been no response so far, and shuns peace jirga that was held recently in Kabul.

"The presence of foreign troops is the fundamental reason for the continued fighting. Foreign troops should leave Afghanistan. Moreover, the interference of neighboring countries and other powerful forces should stop, because their competition is the cause of this chaos," Hekmatyar said.

"We want that Afghans choose the position of each party and person. And, they should not ask the foreigners to insure their desired positions," he added.

"We don't want to drown in fighting with an Afghan group," he concluded. (ANI)