Taliban deny possible peace talks with Afghan govt. in Saudi Arabia

The Taliban has rejected reports of holding talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government in Saudi Arabia.

"There is no truth in these published reports saying that the delegation of the Islamic Emirate would meet with representatives of the Karzai government in Saudi Arabia in the near future," The dawn quoted the Taliban, as saying on their website.

Afghan officials had earlier suggested that both sides would separately hold talks in Saudi Arabia, amid reports of planned negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States aimed at ending the decade-long war.

They have also announced plans to set up an office in Doha.

On Wednesday, the Taliban said they had not yet "reached the negotiation phase with the US and its allies".

"Before the negotiations, there should be a trust-building phase, which has not begun yet," the statement on its website said. (ANI)

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