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Developments in Afghanistan

Taliban movement claims to resume talks on forming government

"Consultations on the makeup of the future government are underway with various political movements," the TV channel quoted the spokesman for the Qatari political office of the group as saying

© AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

TEHRAN, August 20. /TASS/. The Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) has resumed talks on creating a new inclusive government in Afghanistan, the TOLOnews TV channel reported on Friday citing spokesman for the Qatari political office of the group Muhammad Suhail Shaheen.

"We resumed talks on creating an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Consultations on the makeup of the future government are underway with various political movements. When the structure has been determined, it will be announced," the TV channel quoted him as saying.

"Now is not the time to conduct elections to decide the government," the spokesman noted. "We have a power vacuum. So there’s no time for elections. There is no new constitution so far, we are developing it for subsequent approval. A lot of work is ahead, and an inclusive government is needed for that. These people will be chosen by means of dialogue between various politicians and our top leadership," he explained.

After the Biden administration had announced the end of its US military operation in Afghanistan and the launch of its troop pullout, the Taliban embarked on an offensive against Afghan government forces. On August 15, Taliban fighters swept into Kabul without encountering any resistance, and gained full control over the Afghan capital within a few hours. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said he had stepped down to prevent any bloodshed and subsequently fled the country. At present, Western nations are evacuating their citizens and embassy staff.

On February 14, 2003, the Russian Supreme Court declared the Taliban to be a terrorist organization and its activities are outlawed nationwide.

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