Representatives at preliminary talks aiming to end Afghanistan’s long war have agreed that Taliban insurgents should open a political office for negotiations, but disagreement over foreign troops is still hampering prospects for a ceasefire.
A statement issued on Monday outlined the agreements reached by at least 40 delegates to a “non-official meeting” bringing together Taliban representatives, Afghan government figures and U.N. representatives at a two-day meeting held in Qatar.
However, In a further blow to peace hopes, Taliban fighters killed at least 18 police-persons early on Monday in attacks in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, a local official said. In Qatar the delegates agreed that the Taliban should re-open a political office in Doha that caused a furore in 2013 when it was briefly inaugurated.
