Taleban may be willing to talk to UN: Ban
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United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon addresses the media on Jan 28, 2013. Mr Ban says the Taleban may be willing to hold talks with the UN on minimising civilian casualties in Afghanistan. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said on Tuesday the Taleban may be willing to hold talks with the UN on minimising civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
Mr Ban cited two statements from the Taleban prompted by a recent UN report on civilian casualties as "perhaps indicating a willingness to engage".
"I encourage a meaningful dialogue to reduce this intolerable, continuing death toll and to protect civilians," Mr Ban told the Security Council on Tuesday.
UN associate spokesman Farhan Haq said Ban was referring to engagement with the UN, not the Afghan government.
