Qatar PM meets Taliban officers in Afghanistan to ‘strengthen relations' | World News

Qatar's Prime Minister and Overseas Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Kandahar on Friday and met with Taliban officers, reported Tolo News.

He met with Afghanistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the spokesman of the Taliban Zabiullah Mujahid mentioned on Twitter.

"On this assembly, the Prime Minister of that nation emphasised on strengthening the relations and rising the extent of belief between the 2 nations, in addition to sensible cooperation within the academic, well being and financial fields of Afghanistan," he tweeted.

The Qatari delegation additionally included the pinnacle of the Qatari State Safety (Intelligence Service) Abdullah Al-Khulaifi.

Mujahid mentioned they mentioned cooperation in strengthening relations and belief, and dealing collectively within the schooling, well being and financial sectors, reported Tolo News.

"Qatar's additional cooperation with the individuals of Afghanistan was emphasised.

On the identical time, the heartfelt message of the Emir of Qatar was appreciated and that nation was inspired to play a higher position in constructing extra belief between the nations and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," tweeted Mujahid.

Notably, Qatar facilitated discussions between the Islamic Emirate and the US authorities that resulted in a peace deal on February 29 of 2020.

Qatar has longstanding ties with the Taliban. Whereas this strategy is criticized by some, others profit from the nation's contacts. Qatar's primary curiosity is to cement its place as a regional mediator.

The connection between Qatar and the Taliban is something however new. As early as 2013, Qatar allowed the Taliban to open an workplace in Doha, with the help of the US administration beneath Barack Obama.

On the time, Washington was on the lookout for a impartial place to barter with the Islamist militia in an effort to put together for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, reported DW News.

Since 2018, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is among the founding members of the Taliban, has led its illustration in Qatar.