MM News

KABUL: The Taliban on Monday has urged the international community to reopen their embassies in Kabul and also called for the recognition of Afghanistan, saying the country “has the right” to be recognised.

Addressing a press conference in Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “The war has ended, the country is getting out of the crisis. It is now time for peace and reconstruction. We need the people to support us.”

He also called upon military personnel who served under the previous regime to join the new force. “The Afghan forces, who were trained in the past 20 years, will be asked to rejoin the security departments alongside Taliban members,” he announced.

The spokesperson further said that any insurgency against their rule would be “hit hard”, after earlier saying they had captured the Panjshir Valley.

“The Islamic Emirate is very sensitive about insurgencies. Anyone who tries to start an insurgency will be hit hard. We will not allow another,” Mujahid said, adding, “Anyone who picks up arms and starts resistance, without any doubts, will be our enemy.”

Referring to the announcement of government, Mujahid said an “interim” system would first be announced to allow for changes. “We will announce the new government as soon as the technical issues are resolved,” he added.

The spokesperson pointed out that Qatar has been working with the Taliban on getting the airport back up and running and “serious efforts” were underway to restore operations.

“Technical teams from Qatar, Turkey and UAE are working hard to repair the equipment,” he said, adding international flights would resume “soon”.

Since their sweep to power last month, the Taliban have been met with widespread condemnation from the international community, with many fearing the government will be similar to the brutal regime of 1996 to 2001.