KABUL, AFGHANISTAN—Seeking to inject new energy into the long-stalled Afghan peace process, the top U.S. diplomat charged with helping find a way to end the war has met with Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, according to officials and a Taliban statement Saturday. Western diplomats have described the Americans’ direct contact with the Taliban as “talks before talks” that could then grow into negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The Taliban, in a statement issued through spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, said six of their representatives met with Khalilzad. “This was the first meeting where high-ranking officials from both sides met, and the second meeting between Americans and the Taliban. Afghan officials have long appealed to Saudi Arabia to use its clout to try to persuade the Taliban to enter into talks.

Source: thestar October 13, 2018 20:37 UTC