KABUL on Tuesday termed the release of two Western hostages in return for three key rebel commanders as ‘a good omen’ and said it could help the peace process and build trust.

The Taliban freed two Western hostages in southern Zabul province in line with a prisoner swap deal with the government.

“This morning at around 10am two American University professors were released in Nawbahar district. They were flown out in American helicopters,” AFP quoted a local police officer as saying.

The Taliban also confirmed freeing Kevin King of the United States and Australian Timothy Weeks, according to the news agency.

Earlier, the government released three key Taliban prisoners, who were flown to the capital of Qatar. The trio included Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani

The Taliban in a statement on Tuesday welcomed the release of Anas Haqqani, Haji Mali Khan and Hajiz Abdul Rashid and termed it as a good step.

The statement said freeing Kevin King of the United States and Australian Timothy Weeks along with 10 Afghan soldiers had been successfully completed 

The Taliban said the move could pave ground for the peace process and thanked the Qatar Emir and the Qatari foreign minister for their role in the deal.

pk/ma

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