International conference on Afghanistan kicks off in London

Opening the 70-nation meeting, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a "decisive" time for the future of the country. He also expressed support for plans to dramatically boost Afghan police and army numbers "to turn the tide in the fight against the insurgency."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, recently re-elected in a poll marred by fraud allegations, has expressed hope that his country's renewed efforts to reconcile with Taliban militants will be successful. He said the government would offer Taliban fighters financial support, housing and jobs in exchange for laying down their arms and returning to civilian life.

The conference is expected to approve $500 million to allow Karzai to fund a program to reintegrate low and mid-level Taliban fighters back into society. The Taliban has said the campaign will fail as its fighters have no interest in material goods; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.