#Afghan negotiators delay attending peace talks with Taliban in Qatar

Afghan government negotiators delayed a trip to the capital of Qatar for peace talks with the Taliban because of logistical issues and disagreements over the transfer of prisoners, according to a report on Monday.

The two sides were expected to meet Monday in Doha to work out details of a peace plan the US signed with the Taliban in February, but the Afghan team delayed its departure, Reuters reported, citing a government and diplomatic sources.

Negotiators hit a speed bump over the exchange of prisoners as well as a dispute over how the opening ceremony would be conducted, including who should be given time to speak and even how the flags would be arranged.

Freeing six prisoners from Afghan prisons was reached in a compromise with the Taliban last week, but Western governments objected to their release and attempts to finalize the plans hit a snag.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters that no “major issues” caused the delay and that teams from both sides are working on issues related to the release.

US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who played a critical role in the peace talks with the Taliban, was also in Doha waiting for the beginning of negotiations.

The pact signed in February calls for the withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan in 14 months, with the understanding that the Taliban would not allow terrorists to use the country as a base to launch attacks at the US or its interests.