Eighth round of U.S., Taliban peace talks to start in Doha Aug. 3-officials

A fresh round of U.S.-Taliban peace talks will start in Qatar's capital Doha on Saturday, officials said, describing it to be the "most crucial" phase of negotiations to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.

Senior officials privy to the talks said a peace agreement could be expected at the end of the eighth round of talks between the warring sides and would enable foreign forces to be withdrawn from the war-torn country.