Rome hosts high-level Afghan talks

US General David Petraeus has been holding talks on Afghanistan with senior envoys in Rome.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Franco Frattini convened the International Contact Group on Afghanistan to discuss efforts to bring stability to the country.

Rising foreign casualties are putting pressure on the US and its NATO allies to seek an end to the war, with a political settlement an option.

But as Petraeus, NATO’s top commander in the country, sat down for the meeting, Afghans were also dying in the violence.

Among today’s attacks, at least three civilians were killed when homemade bombs exploded under a bridge in western Herat city. Several others were injured in the blast which occurred as police attempted to defuse the devices.

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Tags: Afghanistan, Italy, Summit