KABUL: An Afghan government delegation is going to Doha to make “initial contacts” with the Taliban, a senior official said Thursday, days before the signing of a historic deal in Qatar to withdraw US troops.

The accord would see thousands of US troops withdrawn from Afghanistan after more than 18 years, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Kabul government.

Representatives of the Kabul government will be conspicuously absent from Saturday’s signing ceremony, which as many as 30 nation are expected to attend.—AFP