*WASHINGTON: *US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has returned to Qatar forfurther talks with the Taliban as he fine-tunes a deal on withdrawingtroops, the State Department said Thursday.

“Ambassador Khalilzad has returned to Doha to continue talks,” a StateDepartment spokesperson said.

Khalilzad had earlier reached an agreement “in principle” with the Talibanthat would lead to an end to America’s longest war, a top goal forPresident Donald Trump.

The internationally recognised government in Kabul, with which the Talibanhave refused to negotiate, voiced concern and sought clarifications,pointing to risks.

The Taliban have not relented on violence despite negotiating with theUnited States, killing at least 10 people including NATO troops in abombing Thursday in Kabul. -APP/AFP