The Taliban “calls on American officials to talk directly to the Political Office” of the group, read a statement released by the Taliban late on Monday, apparently referring to an alleged office in the Qatari capital.
The statement came a day before the second round of a regional peace conference in Kabul, where representatives from 25 countries are to discuss counter-terrorism and conflict resolution strategies.
There was no immediate reaction from the US side.
US President Donald Trump said last August that the American military presence in Afghanistan would be open-ended, as Washington intensified aerial strikes on alleged militant strongholds in Afghanistan.
Last month, Trump ruled out holding talks with the Taliban, after a spate of terror attacks by militants in Kabul.
The Afghan capital is due to host the Kabul process on Wednesday, focusing on resuming “peace talks” and uniting regional countries in what is being billed as the battle against terrorism.
“At the Kabul conference, we will present a comprehensive peace plan for Taliban and Pakistan,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Tuesday.
The Daesh terrorist group is also present in Afghanistan.
