U.S. and Taliban negotiators signed a historic agreement Saturday in Qatar that could end 19 years of war in Afghanistan and allow President Donald Trump to begin the promised withdrawal of American troops, USA Today reported.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the top U.S. negotiator, signed the pact as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked on.

It sets the stage for further negotiations that could lead to a permanent peace treaty between Afghanistan's government and the Taliban insurgency.