The top US envoy for South Asia has met with Taliban officials for peace talks in Qatar, the Wall Street Journal street reports
Alice Wells, the senior official for the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asia Affairs, met with the Taliban this week to try to find a new path toward ending Afghanistan’s 17-year conflict, the Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter.
The State Department did not directly confirm the report, but notes Wells had been in Doha this week, where she met with Qatari government officials “to discuss recent progress towards an Afghan-owned, and Afghan-led peace process.”
“Ambassador Wells welcomed the Qatari government’s constructive partnership and dedication to Afghanistan, and expressed the deep US appreciation for efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” a State Department statement reads.
As recently as last week, US officials were denying reports they were ready to speak directly to the Taliban.
The Taliban has established a political office in Qatar that serves as a de-facto embassy.
— AFP
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