Two Western hostages released after three Taliban prisoners landed in Qatar as part of a prisoner swap deal

United States President Donald Trump thanked Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for their efforts in encouraging the release of two western hostages held by Taliban in Afghanistan.

The two leaders had a telephone call on Friday in which the US President affirmed his truthful thanks to the emir for its active role in facilitating the release of the two hostages.

During their phone call, the two countries reviewed the strategic relations and way of enhancing them.

Qatar welcomed the release of US national Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks on Thursday. These two university professors held hostage in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Doha said it had played a crucial role in their release. Qatar welcomes the release as goodwill gestures by the Taliban and Government of Afghanistan to advance peace and bring an end to the war in Afghanistan.

King and Weeks in August 2016 were kidnapped from outside of Kabul's American University of Afghanistan where both of them worked. Two of them were freed in return for the release of three Taliban commanders.