In Afghanistan, hundreds of Afghan elders and notables are gathering in Kabul to discuss how to persuade Taliban fighters to lay down their arms. President Hamid Karzai is aiming to use the three-day Peace Jirga to enlist support for his plan to offer economic incentives to reformed militants. According to reports, about 1,600 delegates, including tribal elders, religious leaders and Members of Parliament from all over the country are expected to take part in the traditional meeting which is due to finish late on Friday. Taliban chiefs have dismissed the talks and threatened delegates with death. They are waging a nine-year battle to overthrow the US-backed government and expel the 130,000 foreign troops there. The U.S. and Britain have voiced their support to Afghanistan National Consultative Peace Jirga or assembly. A statement released by the Afghan Presidential Palace today said, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a telephone conversation on Tuesday with President Hamid Karzai hoped that the Peace Jirga would lead to achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan. She also emphasized that U.S. would continue to support the peace process in Afghanistan. In a similar telephone conversation with Karzai, British Prime Minister David Cameron also expressed his government's support to the peace Jirga in achieving durable peace in the war-battered country, the statement said.