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But the likelihood of a final deal with the Taliban remains unclear, given that the Taliban has long maintained it will not negotiate with the Afghan government, a key U.S. position.

Direct U.S. talks with the Taliban began last year, the culmination of sporadic contacts with the insurgent group in recent years.

In his tweets Khalilzad said \"we will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly.\"

2/3. Will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly. We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire.

— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) January 26, 2019

The war in Afghanistan has lasted for over 17 years.

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