US starts negotiations with Taliban

Qatar is hosting a pilot round of negotiations between US officials and Taliban representatives, to discuss steps to put an end to the war in Afghanistan, Russia Today cites The New York Times as saying.

­Unnamed former Taliban officials said that, among other issues, the parties would discuss POW transfers from Guantanamo to Qatar.

Kabul expects a delegation from Qatar to visit the Afghan capital to clarify its position in the talks, High Peace Council Secretary Aminundin Muzaffari said.

A delegation of eight Taliban delegates has travelled to Qatar via Pakistan. They are expected to set up a permanent office of the Taliban in Qatar.

The Taliban has not yet provided official comments on the talks, while US officials have not denied the talks are taking place.