ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's interior minister says the government is ready to hold peace talks with Taliban militants who have been waging a bloody insurgency that has killed thousands of people in his country.

Rehman Malik's comments Monday are the latest sign of growing momentum for negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban. Malik's comments follow statements by senior leaders of the militant group who also have indicated that they are ready to sit down at the negotiating table.

The government appears to have dropped an earlier demand that the Taliban lay down their weapons and denounce violence prior to talks, a position rejected by the militants.

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Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.