Taliban Claim Agreement with U.S. on Prisoner Exchange

AP

Amir Khan Muttaqi, left, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban government, meets with Adam Boeh

The Taliban announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement with U.S. envoys on a prisoner exchange, describing the step as part of wider efforts to normalise relations between Afghanistan and the United States.

A statement released by the Taliban gave no details on the number or identities of detainees to be exchanged. The White House has not commented on the meeting in Kabul or on the Taliban’s claims.

Photographs published by the group showed Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi meeting with Adam Boehler, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage response. According to the Taliban, Boehler confirmed that “the two sides would undertake an exchange of detainees.”

The announcement follows the Taliban’s release in March of U.S. citizen George Glezmann, who had been abducted while travelling in Afghanistan as a tourist. Glezmann was the third American freed by the Taliban since Trump assumed office.

The Taliban also noted that discussions covered bilateral relations, citizens’ issues, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan, while the U.S. delegation reportedly expressed condolences over the deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan last month.

The talks come against a backdrop of strained ties, following the Taliban’s sharp criticism of President Trump’s new travel ban, which bars Afghans from entering the United States.

Source: Associated Press



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