Taliban, US conclude candid, professional talks in Doha

The Taliban and the United States have held candid and professional talks in the Qatari capital, with the two-day discussions focusing on security and terrorism concerns.

The weekend talks in Doha were the first face-to-face meeting between the two sides since the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15.

According to Ned Price, spokesman for the US Department of State, “The discussions were candid and professional with the US delegation reiterating that the Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words.

“The US delegation focused on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for US citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners, as well as on human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society.

“The two sides also discussed the United States’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people.”

The Afghan delegation, led by the Afghan acting foreign minister, Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi, also came to Doha seeking financial assistance that comes with any sort of international recognition.

The Afghan delegation asked the US to end economic sanctions and to unfreeze some $10bn worth of assets.

The Taliban announced its all-male Cabinet last month, but it has struggled to govern amid a liquidity crisis after it was cut off from the international financial institutions, such as IMF and World Bank.

The group has said it needs to pay government employees and provide services to Afghans amid a looming economic and humanitarian crisis.

Neither the US nor the Taliban have said if any agreements were reached during the talks.

The Taliban delegation also urged the U.S. side to respect the sovereignty of Afghanistan’s airspace and not to interfere in its affairs.

Kamila/Al-Jazeera