Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday broke off crucial security talks with the United States, angry over the name given to a new Taliban office in Qatar that is meant to facilitate peace negotiatio

Taliban bombers attacked a heavily fortified guesthouse used by Westerners in Kabul on Wednesday and announced the start of their annual “spring offensive”, defying calls from visiting US President Barack Obama about ending the war.

The Taliban broke off confidence-building talks with the Americans on Thursday and the Afghan President ordered US troops out of villages, demanding a transition of security from Nato control in 2013.

Taliban gunmen armed with rockets and grenades attacked the largest Nato base in Afghanistan at dawn on Wednesday, sparking battles that killed 10 militants and wounded seven soldiers.