Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his opening remarks at the National Consultative Peace Jirga or assembly opened Wednesday in the capital city Kabul called upon the armed opposition groups to give up militancy and join the peace process.

"From here I am calling upon all Afghans who are unhappy with the government to return home, resume normal life and join the peace process," Karzai told an audience of several hundred people gathered under a giant tent amid tight security.

Taliban outfit and Gulbudin Hekmatyar-led Islamic Party the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan are the main armed opposition groups fighting Afghan and the NATO-led forces based in the post-Taliban central Asian state.

"Our voice is the voice of peace, peace for the sons and daughters of this country. I am calling on Taliban and others to stop killing the sons of this land and destroying this country," the president added.

The president furthermore called on the participants of the Peace Jirga to find an amicable solution for the country's problems and ensuring durable peace in the country.

"It is our responsibility to discuss the ways and means on how to reach a national consensus, to end the suffering of the people and ensure lasting peace in our country," the Afghan leader emphasized.

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