What could possibly go wrong?

(Daily Mail) — Talks to end the 10-year war in Afghanistan could be on the horizon after the U.S. backed a plan to let the Taliban open political headquarters in the Middle East.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is likely to open a base in Qatar before Christmas, The Times said.

It is hoped this will help facilitate peace talks which could lead to a truce with the Taliban.

A senior member of the Taliban — Tayyab Agha — has been talking on and off with western diplomats for the past year but it is hoped this move will accelerate the process.

Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar is understood to be backing the negotiations.

When the HQ is opened in the Qatari capital Doha, it will be the first time the Islamist group has been treated like a political party since it fell from power in 2001.

The Times said the Taliban wants to make sure its members are free from harassment and arrest whilst based in the city.

The Gulf state is believed to have agreed to let the group have a base after Washington decided that it should be located away from the influence of Pakistan.

One diplomat told the Times: ‘It will be an address where they have a political office.’

He said it would not be an embassy or consulate but ‘like a residence where they can be treated like a political party’.