Taliban close political office in Qatar

The Afghan militant group, Taliban, has temporarily closed its recently-opened office in the Qatari capital Doha, following a dispute over a flag.

The shuttering of the Doha office follows a diplomatic spat over a white flag at the compound and a sign identifying the movement as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The Qatari government removed the sign and flag on the request of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan-based Taliban official said the militant group has closed its Qatar office to register its protest against broken promises by the US and Afghan governments.

“We have temporarily closed the Qatar office due to broken promises,” the unnamed official said on Tuesday.

The office was opened less than a month ago to facilitate peace talks between the US and Taliban.

President Barack Obama’s administration has supported peace talks with the Taliban after the US-led forces lost ground against the militants in recent months across Afghanistan.

However, the talks stirred tensions between Washington and Kabul. The Afghan government reacted to the move, saying it contradicts the security guarantees the US had given it.

They also said the Taliban can use the office for raising funds for their armed campaign in Afghanistan.

The Kabul government has suspended strategic talks with Washington to discuss the nature of US presence after foreign troops withdraw in 2014.

Meanwhile, Afghanistanâ„¢s High Peace Council stated that none of its members will travel to Qatar to sit at talks with the Taliban.

The council has been making efforts to initiate dialogue with discontented Afghans and militants who have engaged in warfare with the US-led forces and Kabul’s Western-backed government.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washingtonâ„¢s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after more than 11 years, insecurity remains across the country.

JR/PR