Karzai renews call on Taliban to lay down weapons

President Hamid Karzai renewed his call Friday to the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan to lay down their weapons and participate in rebuilding the battered country.

In his message marking the major Muslim holiday of Eid, Karzai said "all our ... brothers who stand armed against their country," including the militant Islamic faction Hezb-e-Islami led by warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, should help ensure stability and development in Afghanistan. (AP)