The government of Qatar on Sunday announced it would temporarily extend the travel ban for five Taliban commandos freed by the U.S. in exchange for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
{mosads}The ban will remain in place until negotiations for a long-term plan have been finalized, a senior U.S. official told The Associated Press.
The U.S. remains in “close contact” with Qatari authorities “to make sure these individuals do not pose a threat to the United States,” the official said, adding that Qatar “has agreed to maintain the current restrictive conditions on these individuals as we continue these discussions.”
The year-long prohibition was due to expire on Monday for the so-called “Taliban Five,” who had been prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba until the White House agreed to trade them for Bergdahl last year.
The looming deadline raised concerns on Capitol Hill that the five leaders would return to the battlefield to engage U.S. forces again.
“This will endanger our troops abroad and our families at home,” House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), chairwoman of the panel’s Oversight and Investigation subcommittee, said in a statement.
On Monday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, called Qatar’s announcement “a welcome development.” He added in a statement that he appreciates the Qatari authorities’ willingness to continue to monitor the Taliban leaders.
“From the time of the announced transfer of the five Taliban leaders from American custody last year, I have been deeply concerned about what would happen to them upon the expiration of the initial one year travel restriction that was imposed as part of their release in exchange for the repatriation” of Bergdahl, Schiff said.
Schiff said the Obama administration “must work with the Qataris to take all possible steps to ensure that they do not return to the fight.”
Bergdahl, who went missing from his base in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan, was charged with desertion earlier this year and could face life in prison if convicted.
This story was updated at 2:08 p.m.