Taliban govt inching closer to international recognition: Muttaqi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said the Taliban government in Afghanistan “is inching closer towards international recognition.”

In an interview with AFP, his first after returning from talks with western powers in Oslo, Muttaqi said concessions Afghanistan´s new rulers make will be on their terms not under pressures from any country.

The foreign minister also urged Washington to unlock Afghanistan´s assets to help ease a humanitarian crisis.

No country has formally recognised the government installed after the Taliban seized power in August as US-led forces withdrew following a 20-year occupation.

Muttaqi said  Afghanistan´s new rulers are slowly gaining international acceptance. “On the process of getting recognition… we have come closer to that goal,” he said. “That is our right, the right of the Afghans. We will continue our political struggle and efforts until we get our right.”

He said his government is actively engaged with the international community a clear indication, he insisted, of growing acceptance.

“The international community wants to have interaction with us,” he said. “We have had good achievements in that.” Muttaqi said several countries are operating embassies in Kabul, with more expected to open soon.

PAN monitor/ma

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