Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's president, has held peace talks with leaders of Hezb-e-Islami, the second largest armed anti-government group in the country, in Kabul.br br It is the first ever direct meeting between Karzai's government and the group - a crucial step to improving relations between the two sides, which have had a history of armed conflict.br br The talks came just weeks after more than 60 of Hezb-e-islami's fighters surrendered their weapons to Afghan authorities following a deadly fallout with the Taliban.br br David Chater reports from Kabul.