Australia to work with US on troop withdrawal after US-Taliban deal

The Australian government says it welcomes the signed agreement between the US and the Taliban that aims to bring peace to Afghanistan after decades of conflict.

Members of Afghanistan's Taliban delegation congratulate each other after the signing of a US-Taliban peace agreement in Doha. Source: AAP

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says the Australian government will work with the US government on the issue of troop withdrawals, following the US-Taliban deal. 

After 18 years of war, the United States has signed an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw troops within 14 months as long as the Taliban upholds the deal.

After an initial reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days of Saturday's signing, the US and its partners "will complete the withdrawal of their remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months... and will withdraw all their forces from remaining bases", the declaration stated.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad (2-L) and Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar sign the US-Taliban deal. Source: AAP

Minister Dutton said the details will need to worked out.

"If there are troop withdrawals, we'll work that out with the United States," he told ABC television's Insiders program.

"Obviously the Taliban needs to be abide by the conditions of any such agreement, but well done on the United States on being able to broker such a deal."

The agreement includes direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, including on a permanent ceasefire, and measures to prevent international terrorist organisations including al-Qaeda from operating in Afghanistan, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.

"We call on the Taliban to continue to reduce violence and enter into negotiations with the Afghan government in good faith," Senator Payne said in a statement on Sunday.

"The security and stability of Afghanistan will be vital in containing the threat of international terrorism, as well as addressing people and narcotics smuggling."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the presidential palace in Kabul. Source: AAP

She said she is proud of the achievements of the Australian Defence Force since entering the conflict in 2001 and paid her deepest respects to the 41 ADF members killed in action.

"The Australian Government will continue to work closely alongside our international partners - including through the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission - to ensure our contribution remains appropriate," she said.

Additional reporting: AAP, AFP.