DOHA, March 31: Afghan President Hamid Karzai held talks on Sunday with amir of Qatar during a visit to discuss opening of a Taliban office in the Gulf state as a prelude to a possible peace deal with the militants.

Mr Karzai discussed “issues of mutual interest” with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, state news agency QNA said.

The Afghan president previously opposed a Taliban office in Qatar because he feared that his government would be frozen out of any future peace deal involving the militants and the US.

However, President Karzai recently backed the proposed office in Doha.

But a Qatar office could mean little if the Taliban continue to refuse to negotiate with Mr Karzai. “The opening of the Taliban office in Qatar is not related to Karzai, it is a matter between the Taliban and the Qatar government,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

“Our representatives who are already in Qatar won’t see or talk to him.”—AFP