Long a spoiler, Pakistan starts behindscenes aid to US-Taliban talks

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Pakistan, long at odds with the United States over the war in Afghanistan, has begun to play a behind-the- scenes but central role in supporting U.S. peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, including by facilitating travel to negotiations, U.S. officials and Taliban sources told Reuters.

The Pakistani assistance, which has not been reported in such detail before, also includes exerting pressure on Taliban leaders who fail to cooperate, including by detaining members of the militants' families, the insurgents say.

Pakistan's role in the peace negotiations is a delicate one, with Islamabad seeking to avoid demonstrating the kind of broad influence over the Taliban that Washington has long accused it of having. Sources caution its help could be temporary.

The Taliban also do not want to appear beholden to Islamabad, which has long denied U.S. accusations that it provides safe haven and assistance to insurgents as a way to preserve influence in neighboring Afghanistan throughout its more than 17-year-old war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled his intention to wind down America's longest conflict, declaring this week in his State of the Union address that “great nations do not fight endless wars.” One senior U.S. official, who declined to be identified, said of Pakistan's role in the talks: “We know it just wouldn't be possible without their support.” “They've facilitated some movement and travel to the discussions in Doha,” the official said.

Trump's administration has accelerated talks for a political settlement in Afghanistan. U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad held six days of talks - perhaps the most productive to date - with the Taliban in Doha last month and is due to meet Taliban representatives again on Feb. 25.