King Abdullah hosted talks in city of Mecca at end of 2008 , source says . Saudi Arabia has generally negotiated with Afghanistan through Pakistan . Talks are the first aimed at bringing a peaceful settlement to the Afghan conflict . They also mark a sidestepping of key `` war on terror '' ally Pakistan , frequently accused of not doing enough to tackle militants sheltering on its territory , which has previously been a conduit for talks between the Saudis and Afghanistan . All parties agree only solution to Afghan conflict is peace , not fighting .
King Abdullah hosted talks in city of Mecca at end of 2008 , source says . Saudi Arabia has generally negotiated with Afghanistan through Pakistan . Talks are the first aimed at bringing a peaceful settlement to the Afghan conflict . All parties agree only solution to Afghan conflict is peace , not fighting .