Afghanistan's government

Hailing "valuable and trusted friend" Turkey for its willingness to host peace talks, Afghanistan on March 14 said the meeting could prove to be a vital step forward in the quest for stability in the war-weary country.

Afghanistan's government late on March 26 announced a 21-member team to negotiate with the Taliban in a tentative sign of progress for the United States-brokered peace deal.

The Taliban's new leader told Afghanistan's government on Sept. 22 it must cancel a security deal with the United States and expel all foreign troops if it wants peace.