KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Monday made clear his administration would pursue peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, but would fight against foreign fighters with full force.

During a meeting with relatives of those killed and wounded in Wednesday’s suicide attack in western Farah province, the president said: “We want peace at any cost, because it is the only way to stabilize the country.”

While insisting on a thoroughgoing investigation into the attack, Karzai instructed officials to provide necessary assistances to the victims’ families.

Karzai linked Afghanistan’s current problems to interference from neighbors and other countries. However, he did not name any country.

“We remain willing for peace parleys with the Afghani Taliban, but would fight against foreign Taliban and force them to quit our country,” he said, adding they would first differentiate between the two sides.

“I know what foreigners want. All their activities are aimed to alienate the Afghans from their government,” remarked the president, who vowed to promote the ongoing reconciliation drive.

A Kabul University student, Abdul Azim, said his father and elder brother had died in the incident, leaving him with no option but to leave his education and eke out a living for his family.

Karzai ordered IDLG and provincial authorities to help the student continue his education and meet the financial needs of his family.

On behalf of all the victims, Syed Ahmad Qalakahi, who lost his 28 years old son in the assault, criticized the president for ignoring the problems of Farah people. Over the past 10 years, he said, Karzai had twice visited the province to condole with kin of victims of terrorism.

“The governor’s house is assisting the victims’ families. It will provide them whatever they need,” said the president, accompanied by MPs, his advisor and the IDLG chief.

Governor Dr. Akram Khpalwak promised to do all he could to help the affected families. Without naming anyone, he alleged foreign spy networks were behind the devastating attack.

Provincial council head, Abdul Basir Kherkhwa, said the country’s enemy used Afghans to kill their compatriots. He slammed Pakistan and Iran as Afghanistan’s enemies that did not want peace in Farah. (Pajhwok)