Trump says he canceled peace talks with Taliban over attack

President Donald Trump has abruptly canceled peace talks with the Taliban, after the insurgent group claimed responsibility for an attack in Afghanistan's capital that claimed the lives of a U.S. solider and 11 other people.

In a series of tweets, the U.S. president said he had been planning to meet Taliban leaders on Sunday (September 8) at his Camp David compound.

He said a separate meeting had been planned with his Afghan counterpart.

But talks were immediatly called off when the Taliban said they were behind Thursday's (September 5) attack.

Trump said, quote: "What kind of people would kill so many in order to seemingly strenghten their bargaining position?"

Adding: "If they cannot agree to a ceasefire... they probably don't have the power to negotiate a meaningful agreement anyway".

The surprise announcement left in doubt the future of a draft plan which would have seen thousands of U.S. troops withdrawn from Afghanistan, in exchange for guarantees that the country would not be used as a base for militant attacks on the U.S. and its allies.

U.S. officials had already voiced frustration with a recent spike in attacks by Taliban insurgents, who now control more territory than at any time since 2001.

The Afghan government - not included in the recent negotiations - had dismissed the talks as "meaningless".

For local people, who have suffered 18 years of war, the escalation of attacks has laid bare doubts about any lasting peace following a complete U.S. withdrawal.