Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and other foreign powers are holding talks with the Taliban about a possible settlement to the near decade-long war in Afghanistan.

President Karzai said “foreign forces, and especially the United States” are carrying out the talks.

Mr. Karzai's announcement is thought to be the first official comments on U.S. involvement in such negotiations.

The Afghan leader was speaking Saturday at a press conference in the capital, Kabul.

The U.S. embassy in Kabul has declined immediate comment on Mr. Karzai's remarks.

Earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama met with his top Afghanistan commander, General David Petraeus, to discuss plans for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops.

A White House spokesman said they discussed a “broad array” of options.

Mr. Obama has called for U.S. forces to begin pulling out of the country in July, with all combat troops set to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.