Afghanistan: Stage set for landmark US, Taliban deal

KABUL, Afghanistan

The stage is set in Qatar's capital for a landmark peace deal between the U.S. and the Taliban that could end the U.S.' longest war.

The Sheraton Hotel in Doha is teeming with foreign diplomats and dignitaries invited to witness the historic signing by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taliban co-founder and deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Saturday.

The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time (1100GMT).

The landmark peace deal was preceded by an agreement for week-long reduction in violence that ended on Friday.

The U.S.-Taliban deal includes pledges from Washington on