Muslim leaders in US call for more openness

WASHINGTON - Prominent Muslim-American religious leaders called for more constructive conversations to improve the United States' relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Such a relationship should go beyond security matters to help foster a better relationship with the US and encourage the nation to invest in the civil society in the two countries, said Haris Tarin, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a Washington-based public service agency for the civil rights of American Muslims, on Monday.

"We are against military intervention in a way that affects the life of the civilians, whether it is joint attacks or conventional military action," Tarin said during a news conference over the reaction of the Muslim-American community to the death of Osama bin Laden.