US officials have met with senior Taliban representatives in Qatar to discuss security and human rights in Afghanistan, the US State Department said Sunday.

Iran PressMiddle East: A US interagency delegation flew to Doha on Saturday and Sunday for talks "focused on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for US citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners," according to the US State Department spokesman Ned Price. 

Other areas of focus were "human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society," Price said in a statement.

The Taliban are seeking international recognition after they returned to power in August following the withdrawal of US troops following 20 years of war. 219