Taliban meet Afghan govt. officials in Saudi Arabia ahead of elections

Representative from the Taliban have held a meeting with Afghan government officials in Saudi Arabia after earlier plans for another meeting with American officials broke down.

“Our agreement for holding the meeting was only to discuss prisoner exchange and the removal of our people from the UN black list so they can travel,” said a senior Taliban leader, quoted by AFP.

The meeting in Saudi Arabia came ahead of Afghanistan’s parliamentary elections in October, with one Taliban leader saying Kabul had requested to help conduct peaceful elections.

The Taliban have generally insisted on negotiating only with the United States but plans for another meeting with American officials broke down over US demands for a three-month ceasefire. 

Talks in Saudi Arabia come after it was reported earlier this month that the Taliban were preparing to send a delegation for further talks with US officials.

SS