The Afghan government and the Taliban will this weekend begin talks to end nearly two decades of war, though few expect a peace deal any time soon.

The two sides will meet in the Qatari capital Doha from Saturday, six months later than planned owing to bitter disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap.

On Thursday, the Afghan government released six more prisoners sought by the Taliban, of whom two have been convicted of killing two French nationals. Their release prompted a strong reaction in Paris.