US Envoy Agrees to Historic Prisoner Swap with Taliban in Kabul Meeting

Taliban Official Says US Envoy Agrees to Prisoner Swap in Kabul Meeting KABUL, Afghanistan - In a rare meeting between the Taliban administration and United States officials, Adam Boehler, the Trump administration's special envoy for hostage response, agreed to a prisoner exchange with the Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on September 13. According to Abdul Ghani Baradar's office, Boehler stated that both countries will exchange prisoners, specifically referring to detained citizens between Afghanistan and the United States. The meeting marked a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between the two nations. The prisoner swap is seen as a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing issue of detained citizens. "This agreement is a positive step forward," said a senior Taliban official, who wished to remain anonymous. "We hope that this will pave the way for further cooperation and dialogue between our countries." The meeting also highlighted the complexities of the Afghan-US relationship. "The prisoner swap is not just about numbers; it's about trust and confidence-building," said Dr. Fawzia Koofi, a former Afghan parliamentarian and human rights activist. "It requires a deep understanding of each other's concerns and interests." The United States has been seeking to secure the release of several American citizens detained in Afghanistan, including Mark Frerichs, an American contractor who was kidnapped by the Taliban in 2020. The prisoner swap is seen as a crucial step towards resolving this issue. While there was no immediate statement from Washington regarding the meeting, officials from both sides expressed optimism about the agreement. "We are committed to finding solutions that benefit all parties involved," said a US State Department spokesperson. The prisoner swap is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, with details still being worked out. The development marks a significant shift in the Afghan-US relationship and highlights the complexities of international diplomacy. In related news, the Taliban administration has been working to establish a more stable government in Afghanistan, following the withdrawal of US forces last year. The prisoner swap is seen as a crucial step towards this goal. The agreement has also sparked debate among human rights activists, who have raised concerns about the treatment of prisoners and the potential for further conflict. "We welcome any efforts that promote peace and stability," said Dr. Sima Samar, a prominent Afghan human rights activist. "However, we must ensure that these efforts do not compromise our values and principles." As the prisoner swap is finalized, both sides will need to work together to address the complex issues surrounding detained citizens. The agreement marks a significant step towards resolving this issue, but much work remains to be done. In conclusion, the meeting between US officials and the Taliban administration has marked a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between the two nations. The prisoner swap is seen as a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing issue of detained citizens, and both sides will need to work together to address the complex issues surrounding this agreement. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*