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Afghanistan suspends talks after US-Taliban move Afghanistan suspends talks after US-Taliban move
(35 minutes later)
Afghanistan has suspended talks under way in Kabul on a bilateral security agreement with the US.Afghanistan has suspended talks under way in Kabul on a bilateral security agreement with the US.
A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said the decision was taken in protest over inconsistencies in proposed US direct talks with the Taliban.A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said the decision was taken in protest over inconsistencies in proposed US direct talks with the Taliban.
The row centres on the name given to the Taliban office, which opened in Qatar on Tuesday, the spokesman said.The row centres on the name given to the Taliban office, which opened in Qatar on Tuesday, the spokesman said.
US-Afghan talks are to determine the nature of US military presence after foreign troops withdraw in 2014.US-Afghan talks are to determine the nature of US military presence after foreign troops withdraw in 2014.
"There is a contradiction between what the US government says and what it does regarding Afghanistan peace talks," President Karzai's spokesman Aimal Faizi said. President Karzai has been reluctant to sign a long-term agreement with the US amid fears it would undermine Afghan sovereignty - and how it might reflect on him during his remaining time in office, the BBC's Bilal Sarwary, in Kabul, reports.
"The president suspended the talks with the US this morning," said Mr Faizi. 'Name and flag'
"The president is not happy with the name of the office. We oppose the title the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' because such a thing doesn't exist". On Wednesday, Afghanistan's National Security Council confirmed President Karzai had suspended the fourth round of the bilateral security agreement talks with the US government.
"There is a contradiction between what the US government says and what it does regarding Afghanistan peace talks," the president's spokesman Aimal Faizi said.
He added that the president disagreed with the name given to the new Taliban office in the Qatari capital, Doha.
"We oppose the title the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' because such a thing doesn't exist," Mr Faizi said.
"The US was aware of the president's stance.""The US was aware of the president's stance."
Afghan officials said Mr Karzai also objected to the Taliban flag flying over the new premises.
The move comes a day after the US announced it would open direct peace talks with the Taliban.The move comes a day after the US announced it would open direct peace talks with the Taliban.
President Karzai had said his government would also send delegates to Qatar to talk to the Taliban. US officials told reporters on Tuesday that the first formal meeting between US and Taliban representatives was expected to take place in Doha next week.
On the same day, President Karzai said he also intended to send delegates of Afghanistan's High Peace Council to Doha to engage in talks with the Taliban in the coming days.
Mr Karzai has expressed anger at previous US and Qatari efforts to kick-start the peace process without properly consulting his government, correspondents say.
There is also concern within the presidential palace that the Taliban will use the office in Qatar to raise funds.
The US has previously tried to negotiate with the Taliban, but never held direct talks.
In March 2012 the Taliban said it had suspended preliminary negotiations with Washington, citing US efforts to involve the Afghan government as a key stumbling block.
The Taliban set up a diplomatic presence in Qatar in January 2012 and US officials held preliminary discussions there.