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Developments in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman denies Bagram airbase may be handed over to China

Earlier, it was reported that Pakistani Air Force specialists were now inspecting all five airbases in Afghanistan, while a Chinese delegation had held a meeting with the Taliban's top officials to discuss security matters. However, the information was later denied

Taliban Spokesperson in Qatar Suhail Shaheen EPA-EFE/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL

Taliban Spokesperson in Qatar Suhail Shaheen

© EPA-EFE/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The spokesman for the political office of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, has denied media reports the former US airbase Bagram in Afghanistan may be handed over to China.

"It's a lie," he told the media on Wednesday.

India's daily The Pioneer on Monday quoted sources as saying the Taliban might hand over the Bagram airbase to China and allow Pakistan to use an airdrome in Kandahar for operative purposes. The daily's sources said Pakistani Air Force specialists were now inspecting all five airbases in Afghanistan, including those in Kandahar, Bagram, and Kabul, while a Chinese delegation had held a meeting with the Taliban's top officials to discuss security matters, including the possibility of using the Bagram airbase. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denied this at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

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Afghanistan China Power transfer in Afghanistan

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