Several religious scholars in northern Balkh province on20111016  opposed permanent foreign military bases in the country, hoping international forces would leave Afghanistan in the near future. In a meeting called by the Balkh Islamic Brotherhood Council, the scholars urged all parties to the conflict to make peace and end hostilities. Hundreds of people also took part in the meeting. A participant of the gathering, Mohammadullah said the ulema would resist the government's efforts at reaching an agreement with any country that raised questions about Afghanistan's sovereignty. The speakers asked the warring parties to support the government's peace campaign, he added. Maulvi Mohammad Ismail, another participant, accused Pakistan of creating hurdles to peace in the country.