US citizen released by Taliban after nine-month detention

Amir Amiry is expected to return to the US after months of negotiations for his release, which were led by Qatari mediators.

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The man, identified as Amir Amiry, is the fifth American to be freed from detention in Afghanistan this year. He was on his way back to the US on Sunday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Qatar for its "tireless diplomatic efforts", which he said were crucial in securing Mr Amiry's release.

The reason for Mr Amiry's detention remains unclear. Rubio said that he had been "wrongfully detained".

The secretary of state added that more US citizens remain "unjustly detained" in Afghanistan and that the Trump administration was working on securing their release.