Shaheen nominated as Afghan envoy to UN

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Taliban have named their Doha-based spokesman as Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Ready to address the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, the interim Taliban government nominated Suhail Shaheen for the diplomatic slot.

The British media outlet claimed seeing a letter, in which Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to accept Shaheen’s nomination.

Muttaqi asked to speak during the annual meeting of the General Assembly, which concludes on Monday, according to the report.

Guterres’ spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed Muttaqi’s letter to the secretary general. Shaheen replaces Ghulam Isaczai.

He said Muttaqi’s request had been sent to a nine-member credentials committee, whose members include the United States, China and Russia.

Isaczai’s mission “is considered over and that he no longer represents Afghanistan,” Haq said, citing the Taliban letter.

In line with General Assembly rules, Isaczai will retain the seat until a decision is made by the credentials committee.

PAN Monitor/mud

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