US envoy predicts Taliban amnesty breakthrough

"I am pleased about the progress in this regard and I think that you will all have some good news, big news in the coming days," Khalilzad told reporters at a press conference in Kabul.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Khalilzad have both previously indicated that ordinary Taliban who are not linked to al-Qaeda or wanted for crimes against humanity would be welcome to return to normal life.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

"There has been a positive response and a number of people associated with the Taliban have taken advantage of it already and are living in their areas," Khalilzad added.

He added that "some senior members have also come in and have agreed to join in the reconciliation program," and abandoned their three-year insurgency against the Afghan government.

He said it would be up to the Afghan government to release names and details about the talks.

Khaleeq Ahmad, a spokesman for President Karzai, told AFP, "progress is being made," but declined to give further details.

The US envoy, who is widely seen as wielding enormous influence within the Karzai administration, said the Afghan government was considering setting up a body to deal with the issue of exactly who would be eligible for an amnesty for war crimes.