U.S. to hold Afghan peace talks with Taliban in Doha

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will meet the Taliban next week in talks in Doha aimed at achieving peace in Afghanistan, where the United States has battled Taliban insurgents for 12 years, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, but warned that the process will likely be lengthy.

U.S. officials said the Taliban will issue a statement Tuesday opposing the use of Afghan soil for attacks on other countries and that they support an Afghan peace process.

The United States will insist the Taliban break ties with Al Qaeda, end violence, and accept the Afghan constitution, including protection for women and minorities, the officials told reporters in a conference call.

"This is but the first step in what will be a long road," one U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal; editing by Jackie Frank)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-hold-afghan-peace-talks-taliban-doha-144001500.html

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