Afghanistan has won regional support for a strategy of disarming Taliban rebels by providing money and jobs.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai expects a major decrease in the number of Taliban fighters, often poor farm labourers, if they are offered a good alternative source of income.

Mr Karzai hopes to win the support of Western nations for his new policy at a meeting in London on Thursday.

Countries including Pakistan, China, Iran and Turkey have already voiced their support for the new strategy of reintegration. They held talks with President Karzai in Turkey today.

photo: Hamid Karzai (EPA)