Afghanistan has established a leadership council, involving also politicians outside the government, to discuss reconciliation with the Taliban.

President Ashraf Ghani chaired the first meeting of the council in the presidential palace on Sunday, which was attended also by his predecessor Hamid Karzai, speakers of Lower House and Upper House, and representatives of other layers of society.
Ghani welcomed that government leaders and political leaders outside the government and representatives of other layers of society are in the same line to advance peace process.
He said that the meeting would make decision on composition of a negotiating team and the agenda of proposed peace conference in Qatar capital Doha.
The president warned against appointing those in the team, who are speaking against gains of the last 18 years, the establishment and democracy.