Al-Qaida strengthened its links with Pakistani extremist groups, including the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which pledged allegiance and in 2007 launched a bloody insurgency against the Pakistani government.

In Afghanistan, the conflict only worsened, making it increasingly evident that there could be no military victory for anyone.

US President Barack Obama's announcement that NATO combat troops would withdraw in 2014 opened the door to a possible return to power for the Taliban.

But Washington has conditioned peace on the Taliban cutting all ties with al-Qaida. Saudi Arabia has also made its involvement in peace efforts conditional on the Taliban renouncing al-Qaida.

By approving talks with the US, the elusive Taliban leader Mullah Omar has dissociated him self from al-Qaida.

Mullah Omar recently asked the Pakistani Taliban to distance themselves from al-Qaida and no longer attack Pakistan, considered vital in any peace process in Afghanistan, said an Afghan Taliban official.

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