The Cabinet set up by the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) has not yet been recognized by anybody, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya told reporters on Thursday, answering a question about the possibility of the Taliban getting a seat in the world organization.
"A place in the UN? They [the Taliban] are not recognized by anyone yet. The Taliban are not a legitimate Afghan government by international standards," he said. "We'll see what happens," the diplomat added.
"We have said that we would monitor how they actually run the country, what they will do, <...> whether they will stick to their claims that they will fight terrorist organizations in the country, drug trafficking, ensure human rights, including women," said the Russian permanent representative.
According to him, there are two main tasks in Afghanistan now. "These are humanitarian aid, including a possible refugee crisis, as well as the economic situation in the country, which is on the verge of economic collapse," Nebenzya noted.
After the end of the US operation in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of Western coalition troops, the radical Taliban launched an offensive and by September 6 claimed control of the entire country. By September 8, the Taliban had formed an interim government comprised solely of Taliban representatives. Radicals were unable to approve a cabinet for two weeks because of what they claimed were "technical difficulties."
All members of the interim government are men, whereas the Taliban had previously stated that women would be able to run the country. The vast majority of ministers are Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid of the Taliban explained that the permanent cabinet is planned to include representatives from all segments of Afghan society.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS