Afghanistan's warring sides meet to seek peace

Afghanistan's warring sides started negotiations on Saturday for the first time, bringing together the Taliban and delegates appointed by the Afghan government for historic meetings aimed at ending decades of war.

The discussions are important in the search for lasting peace that will also provide an exit for US and NATO troops after nearly 19 years.

Abdullah Abdullah, the head of High Council for National Reconciliation that's overseeing the talks, said the Afghan government was entering the negotiations with "good will and good intention".

Taliban representative Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said in his remarks the talks should be conducted "with a lot of patience, with a lot of attention and thought".