The US is considering transferring five Taliban officials from the US prison at Guantanamo Bayas as part of efforts to start peace talks with the Afghan group.

Barack Obama, the US president, acknowledged earlier in the week that his administrations was engaged in negotiations for the potential transfers of the detainees to Qatar, in exchange for the Taliban renouncing violence against US troops in Afghanistan.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have voiced serious concerns over the possible move, which would refect a significant strategy shift in the US war in Afghanistan.

Patty Culhane reports from Washington DC.