Latest U.S.-Taliban talks end, both sides to consult: Taliban

An eighth round of talks on a pact that would allow the United States to end its longest war and withdraw its troops from Afghanistan ended on Monday and both sides would consult their leaders on the next steps, the Taliban said.

As “Reuters” has reported, the talks, held in have brought hopes for an agreement allowing U.S. troops to leave in exchange for a Taliban promise that Afghanistan will not be used by militants as a base from which to plot attacks abroad.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the latest talks, which a U.S. official said earlier involved technical details and the implementation mechanisms of a pact, ended early on Monday.

An agreement would allow U.S. President Donald Trump to achieve his aim of ending a war launched in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The pact is expected to include a Taliban commitment to hold power-sharing talks with the U.S.-backed government but it is not expected to include a Taliban ceasefire with the government, leading to fears the insurgents will fight on when U.S. forces leave.

President of the U.S.-backed government, Ashraf Ghani, appeared to question the deal on Sunday, saying his nation would decide its future, not outsiders.