Qatar PM meets Taliban officials in Afghanistan to ‘strengthen ties’ | World news
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Kandahar on Friday and met with Taliban officials, Tolo News reported.
He met with the Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Hassan Akund, the spokesman of the Taliban Zabiullah Mujahid said on Twitter.
“In this meeting, the Prime Minister of that country emphasized on establishing relations and increasing the level of trust between the two countries, and practical cooperation in education, health and economic fields of Afghanistan,” he tweeted.
The Qatari delegation also included the head of Qatari State Security (Intelligence Service) Abdullah Al-Khulaifi.
Mujahid said they discussed cooperation in improving relations and trust, and working together in education, health and economic sectors, Tolo News reported.
“Qatar’s further cooperation with the people of Afghanistan is emphasized.
At the same time, the heartfelt message of the Emir of Qatar is appreciated and the country is encouraged to play a greater role in building more trust between the countries and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” Mujahid tweeted.
In particular, Qatar facilitated talks between the Islamic Emirate and the US government that led to a peace agreement on February 29 of 2020.
Qatar has longstanding ties with the Taliban. While this approach is criticized by some, others benefit from the country’s contacts. Qatar’s main interest is to cement its position as a regional mediator.
The relationship between Qatar and the Taliban is anything but new. In early 2013, Qatar allowed the Taliban to open an office in Doha, with the support of the US administration under Barack Obama.
At the time, Washington was looking for a neutral ground to negotiate with Islamist forces in order to prepare for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, DW News reported.
Since 2018, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is one of the original members of the Taliban, has led his delegation in Qatar.
