Taliban says talks held with US on normalizing ties

Kabul: The Taliban on Saturday said it had discussed steps towards normalizing relations between Afghanistan and the United States during a meeting with Trump administration officials.

The group released photographs of the talks but did not disclose the location or timing. According to the statement, Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, and special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad.

“Comprehensive discussions were held on ways to develop bilateral relations between the two countries, issues related to citizens, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan,” the Taliban said.

The group also noted that the US delegation had conveyed condolences over the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late last month.

The meeting followed the Taliban’s release of US national George Glezmann, who had been abducted while travelling in Afghanistan as a tourist. He was the third American freed by the Taliban since Donald Trump assumed office.

The engagement came against the backdrop of the Taliban’s sharp criticism of Trump’s travel ban, which restricts Afghans from entering the United States.

The White House has not commented on the meeting.