US Delegation Meets Taliban Govt In Kabul: Afghan Official

Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a rare meeting Thursday with US officials in Kabul, where they discussed detainees, his office said.

"Bilateral relations, the release of prisoners and consular services for Afghans in the United States" were discussed in the meeting between Muttaqi and US official Adam Boehler, the foreign ministry said on X.

Boehler, who has been handling hostage affairs for the White House, was accompanied by Washington's former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad.

The delegation is the first from Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January, ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad told AFP.

Afghanistan and the US "must emerge from the effects of 20 years of war and have political and economic relations", said Muttaqi as he appealed for "dialogue to resolve problems".

Boehler, who has been working on returning hostages held in Gaza, reported "progress" on prisoners and welcomed the "positive step to build confidence", the Afghan ministry said.

Washington did not immediately comment on the visit.

Taliban authorities announced late last month the arrest of a Chinese-American on February 1 in the province of Bamiyan, a major tourist attraction west of Kabul known for its giant Buddhas -- destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban.

Officials have refused to detail the reasons for their arrest.

In January two Americans detained in Afghanistan -- Ryan Corbett and William McKenty -- were freed in exchange for an Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammed, who was convicted of narco-terrorism in the US.

The government in Kabul is not recognised by any country and has expressed hopes for "a new chapter" with the administration of Trump, who signed a peace deal with the Taliban during his first term in office.