Representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban met in Doha for talks on Saturday, as violence rages in Afghanistan with foreign forces almost entirely withdrawn.

The two sides have been meeting on and off for months in the Qatari capital, but the talks have lost momentum as the insurgents have made battlefield gains.

Several high-ranking officials, including former Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, gathered in a luxury hotel on Saturday after morning prayers. 

They were joined by negotiators from the Taliban's political office in Doha. Former President Hamid Karzai had also been due to travel to Doha but remained in Kabul, according to a source.