Afghan President Hamid Karzai today met Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar to stop fighting and join peace talks aimed at ending the long war in Afghanistan. Karzai was speaking at the Presidential palace at a traditional post-prayers gathering of government ministers and officials to mark the first day of the Eid holiday that follows the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. Last week, Karzai announced the setting up of a High Peace Council to pursue peace talks with the Taliban. The move is one of the most significant steps Karzai has taken in his oft-stated efforts to open a dialogue with the Taliban leadership aimed at speeding an end to the long war. Karzai's plan to create the High Peace Council was approved in June at a peace jirga in Kabul attended by community, tribal, religious and political leaders from across the country. Officials said, the Peace Council would include former members of the Taliban and Hizb-i-Islami, a minor but vicious militant group led by former prime minister and Mujahedeen leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.