US President Donald Trump, in a telephone conversation with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, expressed deep gratitude for Qatar's help in releasing two hostages from Afghanistan, the White House said.
The White House said in a statement that the US President and the Emir of Qatar discussed bilateral and regional issues during the call.
According to Qatar News Agency, Sheikh Tamim received a telephone call from Trump on Friday, in which he expressed his sincere thanks to the Emir for Qatar's efforts and its active role in facilitating the release of the two hostages held in Afghanistan, as well as reviewing the strategic relations and regional and international developments.
Trump welcomed the Taliban's release yesterday, saying he hoped the move would lead to "more good things on the peace front, such as a ceasefire and an end to the war in Afghanistan."
On November 12, Afghanistan announced the release of three Taliban leaders as part of an exchange deal conditional on the release of two hostages - American Kevin King (63) and Australian Timothy Weeks (50), who were working at the American University in Afghanistan.
The Taliban said on Tuesday that three of its leaders had left for Qatar after their release.