The Taliban's spokesman announced the unexpected visit of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group's interior minister, to the UAE and his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country's president.
An official Emirati media outlet also wrote that Haqqani spoke with Sheikh Mohammed about the recent developments in Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on his Facebook page that Abdul Haq Wasiq, the group's intelligence chief, is also accompanying Haqqani on his trip to the UAE.
According to the Taliban spokesman, Haqqani's meeting with Sheikh Mohammed "discussed issues of interest to the two countries, mutual stability, economic strengthening of Afghanistan, and some other important issues".
The state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) also reported that Sheikh Mohammed held talks with the Taliban's interior minister on Tuesday at Qasr al-Shati in Abu Dhabi about the recent developments in Afghanistan and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
According to the report, the two sides also discussed Afghanistan's reconstruction and stability, ways to develop and prosper the Afghan people.
The news agency wrote that Haqqani appreciated the UAE's humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
A few days ago, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister, visited the United Arab Emirates along with a delegation. During that visit, Muttaqi met with the UAE president as well as India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has hosted important meetings of Western delegations with Taliban representatives in recent years since the group came to power in Afghanistan.
