Recent media reports have indicated that the US has given the Taliban approval to open a political office in Doha later this year, ostensibly to facilitate peace talks.

US and Qatari authorities have refrained from commenting on the story. A Taliban representative, however, says he simply doesn’t know anything about it.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told the Afghan Islamic Press:

“These are media reports. We are unaware about it. Nobody has contacted us in this regard. Any further reaction will not be correct.”

The story goes on to cite an unnamed source as saying Tayyab Agha, a former spokesman for Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar, would be the most likely candidate to head the possible Doha bureau. 

As yet, facts remain thin!

Credit: Photo of Afghan fighters surrendering arms, by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan