200 rebels surrender to gov't in N. Afghanistan

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- About 200 rebels under Mawlawi Nematullah gave up fighting and surrendered to government in northern Afghanistan's province of Jawzjan on Wednesday, authorities said.

     "Up to 200 insurgents gave up fighting and joined the government in provincial capital of Shiberghan on Wednesday morning," a provincial source told Xinhua.

     A ceremony was underway in Shiberghan to welcome the former insurgents and Afghan First-Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum will also attend the ceremony, said the source who declined to be named, adding "The former rebels were active in Darzab and Quish Tipa Districts over the past couple of years."  

     The official declined to say whether the surrendered militants were members of the Taliban insurgent group. However, the Taliban insurgents fighting government are active in parts of Jawzjan and the neighboring Faryab and Sari Pul provinces have yet to make comment.

     Vice-President Dostum, who is visiting the mentioned provinces, has recently said that efforts were underway to encourage the insurgents in Northern provinces to renounce violence and join the government-initiated peace and reconciliation process.The surrendered militants also brought with them guns and high- powered firearms when they joined the government, according to officials. On Monday, more than 80 militants joined the peace process in Jawzjan