Pakistan Taleban talks 'halted'

[Coventina]

Source: BBC

The Taleban's talks with the government in north-west Pakistan have been suspended amid army operations against militants, a Taleban negotiator says.

Pakistani troops and Taleban militants have clashed in Lower Dir in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), forcing hundreds of civilians to flee.

NWFP officials had agreed a deal that would introduce Sharia law in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency.

(snip)

Ameer Izzat Khan, a spokesman for Sufi Muhammad, the cleric who negotiated the deal between the government and the Taleban, said: "Our council of leaders met on Sunday night and decided to suspend peace negotiations with the government in North West Frontier Province."

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8019966.stm