US, Taliban deny plans to hold peace talks in Qatar

February 19, 2015 21:50

The US and Taliban today strongly refuted reports that their representatives are to meet in Qatar for possible peace talks on Afghanistan, saying there were no such plans.

"We are not in direct talks with the Taliban, and there have not been any direct talks between the US and the Taliban since January 2012, when the Taliban broke them off," State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

"The US is committed to enabling progress on an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process which can lead to a stable and secure Afghanistan," she said.

Earlier, media reports stated that Taliban representatives are to meet US officials in Qatar soon for possible peace talks on Afghanistan.

The White House also denied the reports with National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan saying, "The United States has no meetings ongoing or scheduled with the Taliban in Doha or elsewhere."

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