Trump speaks over phone with Qatari emir on Taliban deal, regional issues

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke over phone with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussing the recently inked U.S.-Taliban deal and regional issues, said the White House.

The two sides discussed the U.S.-Taliban agreement signed in the Qatari capital of Doha over the weekend, and agreed on the need for the Taliban to continue to reduce violence, the White House said in a statement.

The leaders urged the Taliban to participate in intra-Afghan negotiations with the Afghan government and other Afghans, according to the statement.

Trump and the Qatari emir also discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the need for all parties to take steps to resolve the Gulf dispute, the White House noted.

Trump's call came one day after his phone conversation with a senior Taliban leader, which he described as "very good."

The United States and the Taliban inked a deal on Saturday framing U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan and raising hope for lasting peace in the conflict-stricken country.

However, fights resumed within days after the signing ceremony as the Taliban insurgents conducted deadly attacks in Afghanistan and the U.S. forces there responded with a defensive airstrike on Wednesday.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)