In Afghanistan, the High Council for Peace has called on Taliban to lay down their arms and enter talks for ending the war. The council headed by former President Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani has been established to broker an end to violence that has gained pace every year since Taliban was ousted from power in 2001. The council in a message called on Taliban leaders to enter dialogue with Afghangovernment, pledging to listen to legitimate demands. It called for building trust among all sides under a sound political process to allow Afghans to strengthen their national sovereignty through non-violent and healthy measures. Council spokesman Qyamuddin Kashaaf said some Taliban leaders had held talks with the Kabul administration but he refused to give details, citing sensitivities that could endanger the process. The New York Times has reported that Taliban leaders were involved in the contacts at the highest level and that they were being offered safe passage by NATO troops from their sanctuaries in Pakistan.However, Taliban has always rejected such reports and termed talks impossible till foreign forces decide to leave the country.