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US, UK urge Taliban 'integration' US, UK urge Taliban 'integration'
(20 minutes later)
Top American and British officials have called for the inclusion of Taliban fighters who renounce extremism in Afghanistan's political life.Top American and British officials have called for the inclusion of Taliban fighters who renounce extremism in Afghanistan's political life.
Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy to the region, told the BBC the reintegration of such people had been neglected. Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy to the region, told the BBC the integration of such people had been neglected.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said including moderate Taliban members in dialogue could help stability.UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said including moderate Taliban members in dialogue could help stability.
Their comments came as officials confirmed the first phase of the UK-led offensive in the south had ended.Their comments came as officials confirmed the first phase of the UK-led offensive in the south had ended.
Britain's Ministry of Defence said that Nato troops would now focus on holding territory gained in Helmand province under Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw) ahead of next month's presidential elections.Britain's Ministry of Defence said that Nato troops would now focus on holding territory gained in Helmand province under Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw) ahead of next month's presidential elections.
The operation - which started in June and has involved 3,000 soldiers - has led to a spike in casualties. The offensive - which started in June and has involved 3,000 soldiers - has led to a spike in casualties.
Two more British soldiers were killed in separate incidents in Helmand on Monday, officials said, taking the UK toll from the operation to 11.Two more British soldiers were killed in separate incidents in Helmand on Monday, officials said, taking the UK toll from the operation to 11.
US Marines this month launched their own offensive - Operation Khanjar (Thrust of the Sword) - to flush out militants in Helmand.US Marines this month launched their own offensive - Operation Khanjar (Thrust of the Sword) - to flush out militants in Helmand.
'Intense pressure''Intense pressure'
Speaking to the BBC, Richard Holbrooke said that the Taliban were "under intense pressure", with their funding sources seriously undermined.Speaking to the BBC, Richard Holbrooke said that the Taliban were "under intense pressure", with their funding sources seriously undermined.
But the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan said a new priority was bringing more Taliban fighters into the political process.But the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan said a new priority was bringing more Taliban fighters into the political process.
"There is room in Afghan society for all those fighting with the Taliban who renounce al-Qaeda and its extremist allies, who lay down their arms and who participate in the political life of the country," he said."There is room in Afghan society for all those fighting with the Taliban who renounce al-Qaeda and its extremist allies, who lay down their arms and who participate in the political life of the country," he said.
Taliban fighters needed to be given alternatives to violence, officials saidTaliban fighters needed to be given alternatives to violence, officials said
The leading presidential candidates all agreed that this was an area that had been neglected, he said.The leading presidential candidates all agreed that this was an area that had been neglected, he said.
His remarks echoed those of Mr Miliband, speaking at Nato headquarters in Brussels.His remarks echoed those of Mr Miliband, speaking at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
The Afghan government had to develop "effective grass-roots initiatives to offer an alternative to fight or flight to the foot soldiers of the insurgency", he said.The Afghan government had to develop "effective grass-roots initiatives to offer an alternative to fight or flight to the foot soldiers of the insurgency", he said.
A distinction needed to be made, he said, between "hard-line ideologues" who must be defeated and those who could be "drawn into a political process".A distinction needed to be made, he said, between "hard-line ideologues" who must be defeated and those who could be "drawn into a political process".
"Essentially this means a clear route for former insurgents to return to their villages and go back to farming their land, or a role for some of them within the legitimate security forces," he said."Essentially this means a clear route for former insurgents to return to their villages and go back to farming their land, or a role for some of them within the legitimate security forces," he said.
Afghans go to the polls on 20 August to elect a president - and both Mr Miliband and Mr Holbrooke called on the next government to focus on this issue.Afghans go to the polls on 20 August to elect a president - and both Mr Miliband and Mr Holbrooke called on the next government to focus on this issue.
In a separate development, the Afghan government says the Taliban have agreed a ceasefire in an insurgent-held area to allow polls to take place smoothly there.In a separate development, the Afghan government says the Taliban have agreed a ceasefire in an insurgent-held area to allow polls to take place smoothly there.
A presidential spokesman said the deal applied to the north-western province of Badghis.A presidential spokesman said the deal applied to the north-western province of Badghis.
But a spokesman for the Taliban later denied that a deal was in place, reports from Afghanistan said.But a spokesman for the Taliban later denied that a deal was in place, reports from Afghanistan said.
Meanwhile, the US military in Afghanistan said it would no longer make public the number of insurgents it kills in its operations against the Taliban.Meanwhile, the US military in Afghanistan said it would no longer make public the number of insurgents it kills in its operations against the Taliban.
The military said publishing these figures distracted from its real objective of improving the lives of Afghans and separating the people from the insurgency.The military said publishing these figures distracted from its real objective of improving the lives of Afghans and separating the people from the insurgency.
Civilian deaths caused by military operations against the Taliban have caused considerable anger in Afghanistan.Civilian deaths caused by military operations against the Taliban have caused considerable anger in Afghanistan.