United States resumes talks with Taliban in Qatar

DOHA: The United States has resumed talks with the Taliban in Qatar on Saturday.

The US rejoined talks in Doha would focus the discussion on the violence that lead to intra-Afghan negotiations and a ceasefire.

During a surprise visit to a US military base in Afghanistan last week, US President Donald Trump said that the Taliban wanted to make a deal.

Even during the stall in talks, US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has in recent weeks made a whistle-stop tour of nations with a stake in Afghan peace, including Pakistan.

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In September, the United States and the Taliban had appeared on the verge of signing a deal that would have seen Washington begin withdrawing thousands of troops in return for security guarantees.

It was also expected to pave the way towards direct talks between the Taliban and the government in Kabul and, ultimately, a possible peace agreement after more than 18 years of war.

But during the same month, Donald Trump withdrew an invitation to the insurgents to join secret talks at his US retreat at Camp David after the killing of an American soldier.