Tehreek-e-Taliban commanders say prominent al Qaida and Afghan Taliban fighters have asked them to set aside differences and step up support for the battle against US-led forces in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban commanders say the request came during two meetings in Pakistan's tribal region in November and December.
They said on Monday that the senior al Qaida commander Abu Yahya al-Libi attended both meetings, as did Sirajuddin Haqqani, the de-facto head of the most feared militant group in Afghanistan. Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud, also attended the meeting. The commanders who described the meetings spoke on condition of anonymity because of their sensitivity.