(CNN) American diplomats met face-to-face with Taliban representatives in Qatar last week to discuss laying the groundwork for peace talks, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.

The aim of the discussion was to build on momentum created by a recent three-day cease-fire, the newspaper reported.

The New York Times reported Saturday that US diplomats met with Taliban representatives in Qatar without Afghan government officials present, citing two senior Taliban officials.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Alice Wells, a top US envoy for South Asia, led the US delegation in talks with members of the Taliban's political commission.

The State Department did not confirm or deny the talks, which would be a reversal of a longstanding policy and strategy toward the Taliban in Afghanistan. The department has confirmed that Wells was in Doha, but did not say whether she held a face-to-face meeting with Taliban representatives.

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