US Praises Qatar For Mediating American's Release From Taliban Custody

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Qatar for facilitating the release of an American citizen held by the Taliban.

In a phone call with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Rubio praised Qatar's diplomatic efforts. The US State Department confirmed that George Glezmann was freed through Qatar's mediation.

On Monday, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also thanked Qatar for its role in improving relations between the Taliban and the United States. Muttaqi conveyed his gratitude during a meeting with Mirdef Al-Qashouti, Chargé d'Affaires of Qatar's embassy in Kabul.

The Taliban released George Glezmann last week after holding him captive for more than two years. His release followed a visit to Kabul by a US delegation led by Adam Boehler, Donald Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs, and Zalmay Khalilzad, former US envoy for Afghanistan peace talks. This was the first official US visit to Kabul since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Following Glezmann's release, the US State Department also removed Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and two other Haqqani network leaders from its rewards list.