Hamid Karzai plans Taliban talks in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has played an important role in the past. We value that and look forward to continued support and contact with Saudi Arabia in continuing the peace process," he continued. A delegation of Taliban negotiators made up of former ministers and envoys has assembled in Qatar in preparation for opening of the office. Afghanistan withdrew its ambassador to Qatar in protest when the US and Taliban move to open the office was first disclosed. Marc Grossman, American special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, attempted to soothe Mr Karzai's fears of a secret deal last week by saying any political settlement to the conflict had to be between Afghans. Envoys from the Qatar are also expected in Kabul soon. Michael Semple, a former EU envoy to Kabul, told the BBC the Taliban were "confused by the lack of coherence" between the Afghan government and the West's peace moves. He said: "There's a risk that the Taliban sit there and think there's some kind of divide-and-rule going on from the international side... and that actually no negotiated deal is possible.