KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's tribal leaders say they are the key to brokering a truce with the Taliban.
The tribal elders see themselves as middle men between the insurgents and coalition forces as the two sides hold talks to try to end the nine-year Afghan war.
A traditional Afghan assembly of elders, known as a peace "jirga," was held this week in Kandahar city.
The assembly brought together tribalt leaders and important political figures from across Afghanistan.
The meeting came as a Maldives government spokesman said delegations representing the Taliban and the Afghan government met late last month in the island nation.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is pushing talks with the insurgent group as a means to end the fighting since the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001.
