KABUL: Afghan government representatives and former members of the Taliban are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia soon for their second round of talks on a way to end the Afghan war, an Afghan government official said on Wednesday.

The senior official, with knowledge of meetings on talking to the Taliban, said President Hamid Karzai, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Asif Ali Zardari Karzai had discussed the effort on the sidelines of a UN conference in New York last week. A tentative first step towards talks was taken in September when pro-government Afghan officials and former Taliban met in Saudi Arabia. The Taliban derided the talks and have said repeatedly they would not enter negotiations as long as foreign troops remained in Afghanistan. “It is expected very much to be held in Saudi Arabia again,” he said, adding, “Talks will not bear fruit when held in an open manner. This is an ongoing process and we will announce the results when there is a breakthrough.” He said he did not know if the Taliban would send a representative. “It is not clear, but when peace is the aim, then all should be present.”