Afghan government says talks with Taliban delayed 5 days

An Afghan security force check the site a day after an an attack near the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Three American service members and a U.S. contractor were killed when their convoy hit the roadside bomb on Monday near the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, the U.S. forces said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan government says talks with the Taliban will take place on April 19 in Doha, the capital of Qatar, five days later than originally scheduled.

Abdul Hadi Arghandewal, a member of the leadership council for reconciliation, says Wednesday more discussions on the Afghan negotiation team are needed.

The meeting is seen as a significant step toward finding an end to Afghanistan's protracted war and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Afghan government representatives are participating in talks as part of a larger group of prominent Afghans. The Taliban say they will speak with the government representatives but recognize them only as "ordinary" Afghans.

Arghandewal says the council will announce the Afghan negotiating team in the next three to four days.

Taliban officials confirmed the delay without providing more details.