A 10-member team of key Afghan politicians left Kabul on Friday afternoon for a trip to Doha to hold talks with the Taliban amidst escalating violence in Afghanistan. 

Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, former vice president Mohammad Karim Khalili, Ata Mohammad Noor, head of the splinter faction of Jamiat-e-Islami, chief negotiator Masoom Stanekzai, Salam Rahimi, Fatima Gailani and State Minister for Peace Affairs Sadat Mansoor Naderi are part of the team.

Former president Hamid Karzai accompanied the delegation until the Kabul airport where he talked to reporters along with Abdullah Abdullah.

Karzai said the team has fully authoritative and that they will hold talks with the Taliban. 

He said that dignified figures are part of the delegation who will meet the Taliban in Doha.

Meanwhile, Abdullah said that the Afghan delegation who will meet the Taliban in Doha is an inclusive team and represents entire Afghanistan.

Abdullah added that he believes that there is still a chance for peace despite the ongoing heavy fighting between government forces and the Taliban in various parts of the country.

He said the Afghan delegation that visits Doha is an authoritative team.

Another Afghan delegation is expected to travel to Islamabad for a meeting on Afghanistan’s peace on Saturday.