The U.S. is to open direct peace talks with the Taliban, senior White House officials have announced, according to BBC News.

The first meeting is due to take place in the coming days in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban have just opened their first official overseas office.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his government is also sending a delegation to Qatar to talk to the Taliban.

The announcement came on the day NATO handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to government forces.

U.S. officials said prisoner exchanges would be one topic for discussion with the Taliban, but the first weeks will mainly be used to explore each other's agendas.

However, the talks are on condition that the Taliban renounce violence, break ties with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution - including the rights of women and minorities.