Afghanistan to kick off Taliban peace talks in Qatar

Afghan police officers stand guard near the site of an explosion in Kabul June 18, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan will send a team to Qatar for peace talks with the Taliban, President Hamid Karzai said on Tuesday, as the U.S.-led NATO coalition launched the final phase of the 12-year war with the last round of security transfers to Afghan forces.

Karzai's announcement was the first possible step forward in the peace process, which has struggled to achieve results despite many attempts, and is likely to be applauded by his Western backers.