Diplomatic Channel: Taliban Sees US Prisoner Exchange As Gesture Of Goodwill Part 1

ergeant Bowe Bergdahl's freedom has come as a big relief for his family, and the US government, after the US completed a swap deal of the soldier that had been held in captivity by members of the Taliban.

For five years, he had been held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, appearing in a few videos, in which he pleaded for his release.

After a deal, spanning three years, according to the US government, Sergeant Bergdahl was freed on Saturday, May 31.

A US defence official said he was able to walk, and became emotional on his way to freedom, after being handed over to US special forces in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday.

But his release came at a cost. Five of the Taliban's top members would be released to the Qatari government, from the US correctional facility in Cuba.

Qatar's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah, praised the efforts of Qatari negotiators, who worked to secure the release, alongside the US government.

"His highness, the emir, directed the concerned authorities in the state to start this mediation, which succeeded after long negotiations. I have to thank Qatar's negotiating team who made effort to achieve this result according to the best traditions followed by Qatar's policy in humanitarian efforts. In this specific case, it was for a humanitarian cause," al-Attiyah said.

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