Qatar facilitated German-Taliban talks on Afghan deportations

Qatar aided negotiations between Germany and the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan on the repatriation of 28 Afghans, the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported on Saturday, said dpa.

"Qatar's role came in response to a German request to facilitate the repatriation of Afghans according to their legal conditions to their homeland," the channel quoted a source at the Qatari Foreign Ministry as saying.

On Friday, a Qatar Airways charter jet carrying 28 Afghan men convicted of crimes in Germany departed the Leipzig/Halle airport for Kabul.

Germany does not maintain diplomatic relations with the hardline Taliban rulers, who are accused of widespread human rights abuses, especially against women and girls.

"Qatar's role was to convey messages between the parties and facilitate the Afghans' arrival to their final destination," the source added.

The Qatari effort is part of Doha's role to facilitate communication between the Taliban government and the international community, according to the unnamed source.

Germany's deportations were the first since the Taliban retook power three years ago.

Qatar, an energy-rich Gulf emirate, frequently acts as a mediator in regional conflicts, including the ongoing Gaza war.