One of the leaders of the Taliban, who was released from prison in Pakistan in October, was appointed head of the political office of the group in Qatar, in talks with the US to end the 17-year Afghan war, Al Jazeera reported.

“The appointment of Abdul Ghani Baradar on Thursday was announced as a meeting in Doha between the group's representatives and US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, that was originally scheduled to last for two days, entered its fourth day,” the source said.

Taliban said the reshuffle in their team was "taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States".