The newly appointed provincial governor of Afghanistan's restive Paktia province Rahmatullah Rahmat called on Taliban militias to give up insurgency and solve problems through dialogue, a local newspaper reported Saturday.

"Our doors for talks are open. So, I want the elders to persuade Taliban operatives to give up resistance and help to rebuild the war-ravaged country," daily Afghanistan quoted Rahmat as saying.

Taliban's key commanders Mawlawi Jalaludin Haqani, Mawlawi Kabir, Mawlawi Sadri Azam and few others, according to locals, are in Paktia and the neighboring provinces of Paktika and Khost.

Rahmat, who assumed office just days ago, made the call in the wake of increasing insurgency in the mountainous eastern region. Dozens of people, including 24 militants, have been killed over the past one month and several others, including a ranking al- Qaida suspect, were captured.

Insurgents assassinated Rahmat's predecessor Hakim Tanaiwal and two of his colleagues in a suicide attack some three months ago.

President Hamid Karzai also offered talks for Taliban weeks ago, but the movement's elusive leader refused to talk with Afghan administration.

Source: Xinhua