NATO Chief Says Taliban Will Be Defeated In Two Years

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (file photo) (epa) February 10, 2007 -- NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in Munich that the alliance expects to defeat most of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan within two years.

He added, however, that NATO will keep its troops in the country after 2009. He was speaking at the Munich Security Conference.

Afghan National Security Adviser Zalmai Rassoul said, however, that the country was facing a resurgent Taliban and an influx of foreign fighters.

Afghanistan's former Taliban foreign minister, Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, said earlier today that the group remains a united force and Afghan President Hamid Karzai must engage in talks to prevent more bloodshed.

He said inter-Afghan dialogue is needed.

Muttawakil surrendered to U.S.-led forces after the Taliban was toppled and was released from custody in 2003.

(Reuters)