The Taliban and US have held direct talks for the first time since the group’s return to power in Afghanistan.

The officials met for two days in the Qatari capital, Doha.

According to an Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson the sides discussed confidence-building measures including the lifting of sanctions and travel bans as well as the return of Afghan assets to its central bank. For its part the US State Department said that its officials expressed willingness to hold what it called technical talks on economic stability and concerns about human rights in the country.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 after the US abruptly withdrew from the country after 20 years of occupation and aggression.