U.S. backs move to let Taliban open headquarters in Qatar in the hope of ending war in Afghanistan

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:



Talks to end the 10-year war in Afghanistan could be on the horizon after the U.S. backed a plan to let the Taliban open political headquarters in the Middle East.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is likely to open a base in Qatar before Christmas, The Times said.

It is hoped this will help facilitate peace talks which could lead to a truce with the Taliban.

Formal peace talks to try and end the 10-year war in Afghanistan could be on the horizon after the U.S. agreed to let the Taliban open an office in the Middle East.

Talks: Formal peace talks to end the 10-year war in Afghanistan could be on the horizon after the U.S. backed plans to let the Taliban open an office in Qatar

A senior member of the Taliban - Tayyab Agha - has been talking on and off with western diplomats for the past year but it is hoped this move will accelerate the process.

The rarely-photographed Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar

The rarely-photographed Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar

Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar is understood to be backing the negotiations.

When the HQ is opened in the Qatari capital Doha, it will be the first time the Islamist group has  been treated like a political party since it fell from power in 2001.

The Times said the Taliban wants to make sure its members are free from harassment and arrest whilst based in the city.

The Gulf state is believed to have  agreed to let the group have a base after Washington decided that it should be located away from the influence of Pakistan.

One diplomat told the Times: 'It will be an address where they have a political office.'

He said it would not be an embassy or consulate but 'like a residence where they can be treated like a political party'.

A general view of the skyline of Doha, the Qatari capital where the Taliban office will be based

A general view of the skyline of Doha, the Qatari capital where the Taliban office will be based

The diplomat said the network would not be able to use the base to fundraise or to support the fighting in Afghanistan.

The news came on the day the world mourned the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, including the 2,977 people who died after Al Qaeda flew two aircraft into New York's World Trade Center.

Also yesterday nearly 80 American soldiers were wounded and two Afghan civilians were killed when the Taliban struck a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan.

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