Al Jazeera English - Americas - US mulls Taliban reconciliation

Al Jazeera English - Americas - US mulls Taliban reconciliation: "US mulls Taliban reconciliation
Gates, left, and other Nato leaders met to discuss the war in Afghanistan [Reuters]

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has said his country would 'ultimately' be prepared to reconcile with the Taliban group to end the conflict in Afghanistan.

Gates on Thursday, however, ruled out any possible talks between the US and al-Qaeda fighters in the country.

And, speaking after the first day of Nato meetings in Budapest about the war in Afghanistan, Gates said any settlement with the Taliban would be on the Afghan government's terms and would require the group to subject itself to Kabul's rule."