US to bring back Khalilzad as special Afghanistan envoy: Sources

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to soon tap Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former US ambassador to Kabul and Baghdad, as his special envoy on Afghanistan, two US officials said, the latest signal to the Taliban that Washington is serious about talks to end its longest war.

The decision to tap Khalilzad, a Republican and foreign policy veteran, follows a reported meeting last month between a US diplomat and Taliban officials to explore possible negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Taliban said on Wednesday it would send senior members to Russia for peace talks on Afghanistan, hours after the Afghan government declined the offer to attend such a conference.

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