Afghan Peace Talks Set to Resume, Sources Tell VOA

ISLAMABAD - Representatives of warring parties in Afghanistan are set to return to the negotiating table in Qatar this week to discuss, among other pressing issues, a de-escalation in Afghan violence as international forces continue to withdraw from the conflict-torn country.

Highly-placed official sources in neighboring Pakistan told VOA the Islamabad "brokered" peace meeting between the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators will begin Thursday in the Qatari capital, Doha. Afghan officials have confirmed members of their negotiating team left Tuesday for Doha but they did not discuss when they will meet Taliban interlocutors. Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem, who is based in the Qatari capital, told VOA that "no exact date has been set for the meeting yet" and maintained that the insurgent group "has always been ready to join the process whenever it begins."