Afghan lawmakers urge ceasefire, talks with Taliban

The motion came hours before a US strike that local officials say killed at least 21 civilians, a charge the US does not confirm.  By Eoin O'Carroll | csmonitor.com

Amid claims of mounting civilian deaths, including an official tally of 21 civilians killed in a US-led airstrike, the upper house of Afghanistan's legislature passed a motion Tuesday calling for a military ceasefire and negotiations with the Taliban.
The Associated Press writes that NATO called the resolution, which requires passage by the lower house and approval of the president to become law, a "warning shot."
The proposal from the upper house of parliament, which also calls for a date to be set for the withdrawal of foreign troops, suggests that Afghan support for the 5-year international military mission is crumbling amid a series of civilian deaths. continue...