'US would welcome political reconciliation process in Afghan'

In a shift in its Afghan policy, the Obama Administration has indicated that it would welcome the new Afghanistan government's move of political reconciliation with the Taliban.

Such a statement from the Obama Administration comes a day after the White House sought to differentiate between the al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

"If the Afghan Government chooses to engage in political dialogue and that dialogue brings people who are currently outside the political process, if not attacking the political system that exists in Afghanistan, to a position where they will choose to be invested in that process, we think that will be a positive development," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said.

Observing that insurgencies can ultimately be solved only through the political processes and reconciliation, Crowley, however noted that the final decision in this regard can be taken only by the people and government of Afghanistan.

He said there are a wide range of groups within the label "Taliban", tribal figures that are used to changing sides depending on what is happening at any particular time.

"It’s one of the reasons why we believe that central to a solution to the current challenge in Afghanistan is a competent, legitimate, effective government," he said.