Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai holds key Qatar talks on Taliban office

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, for talks that were expected to consider the opening of a Taliban office in the Gulf state.

The opening of a Taliban office is seen as a step in formalising a channel for talks between Kabul and the militants.

The Taliban itself has refused to talk to the Afghan leader, although it did hold inconclusive discussions with US officials last year.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary says officials admit it could be months before there is an agreement on the Qatar office.