Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhonzada in secret talks with the international community to resolve the standoff.
International media reports, citing sources briefed on the meeting, said the Taliban had signaled a new willingness to negotiate an end to their diplomatic isolation.
The meeting between Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Haibatullah Akhonzada on May 12 in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar is said to be the first time a Taliban leader has met with a foreign leader.
Sources said that US President Joe Biden’s administration was briefed on the talks and that they are also discussing other issues, including talks with the Taliban.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Muhammad bin Abd al-Rahman discussed with Haibatullah other issues such as girls’ education and women’s rights.
